Court orders arrest of Dana Group MD over alleged N1.3bn fraud – Newstrends
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Court orders arrest of Dana Group MD over alleged N1.3bn fraud

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Dana Air

Court orders arrest of Dana Group MD over alleged N1.3bn fraud

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Group for failing to appear in court to face trial.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the order after Ranesh repeatedly refused to attend court proceedings despite being served with the charges.

Justice Egwuatu said under Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the court has the authority to issue an arrest warrant for any defendant who failed to appear in court as required.

“The 1st defendant is bound to appear before the court and if he does not, the court can issued warrant for his arrest.

“Accordingly relying on the said provision, I hereby issued a warrant of arrest for the arrest of the 1st defendant

“The defendant shall appear before this court on 13th of January, 2025, before any objection can be taken,” he said.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Jan. 13, 2025 for hearing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, through its lawyer, Mojisola-Okeya Esho, had, on Oct. 10, prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Dana Air.

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Esho had argued that Ranesh had refused to appear for his arraignment in the alleged N1.3 billion fraud preferred against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF).

But the defence lawyer, B. Ademola-Bello, disagreed with Esho.

He argued that they had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter and that the prosecution had already been served.

Esho, on her part, objected to taking the preliminary objection on the ground that the defendants ought to be arraigned first before the court could entertain any other application.

The judge then adjourned the matter until Nov. 4 (today) for arraignment and/or hearing of preliminary objection.

NAN reports that the AGF had filed a six-count charge against Ranesh and two others.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/101/2021 and filed by Moshood Adeyemi, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions in the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd were joined as 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.

In count one, Ranesh and the two companies, alongside others at large, were alleged to have committed a felony between September and December 2018 within the premises of DANA Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina.

They were alleged to have conspired to remove, convert and sell four units of industrial generators “i.e. three (3) units Ht of 9,000 KVA and 1 unit of 1,000 KVA; all valued at over N450 million, which form part of the Deed of Asset Debenture that were charged as collateral security for a bond issued in your favour, which Deed is still subsisting at all material times.”

In count three, the defendants and others at large at House No. 116, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Isolo-Lagos between April 7th and 8th, 2014, were alleged to have conspired to fraudulently divert the sum N864 million.

The money was said to be part of the bond proceeds from Ecobank meant for resuscitation of production at Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina for other unapproved uses.

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In count five, the defendants and others at large were alleged to have “conspired to fraudulently remove and transfer to one Atlantic Shrimpers Account No: 0001633175 with Access Bank and divert the sum of N60,300,000 (Sixty Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira).”

The money was said to be part of the bond proceeds from Ecobank meant for resuscitation of production at Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina for other unapproved uses.

The cumulative sum of the amount involved in the charge is N1, 374, 300, 000.

All the offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

NAN observes that Ranesh had not appear in court since the case commenced before Justice Egwuatu.

When the case was called on Monday, Ademola-Bello informed the court that on the last adjourned date, the court directed the parties to file a written address on the points of law regarding Sections 221 and 396(2) of the ACJA, 2015.

“In compliance, we filed our written address on 31st of October, 2024. Upon receipt of prosecution’s response, we also filed a reply on points of law dated 31st day of October, 2024.

“Subject to the convenience of the court, we are ready to proceed,” he said.

Esho, who appeared for the AGF, confirmed being served.

However, Justice Egwuatu asked Ademola-Bello the whereabouts of Ranesh.

“Why are the defendants absent,” the judge asked.

The defence lawyer said Ranesh was not in the country and that the other two defendants are statutory bodies of which Ranesh is their managing director.

Ademola-Bello submitted that he was of the view that the jurisdictional issues raised in their preliminary objection should be addressed first.

“Are we playing here. Where is the respect for the court when the people you are defending are not in court?” the judge asked.

But the lawyer responded that Section 266 of the ACJA, 2015, gives provision for a defendant who is not on court.

“We urge the court to be guided by this provision,” he said.

Justice Egwuatu, who gave his ruling, ordered that Ranesh be arrested and brought to the court in the next adjourned date.

Court orders arrest of Dana Group MD over alleged N1.3bn fraud

(NAN)

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Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi

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Linda Chiamaka Obi
Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi
A former member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Linda Chiamaka Obi, was reportedly kidnapped by bandits on her way home after the passing out parade in Kebbi State.
It was gathered that the incident happened on Saturday, November 3, 2024, at Zungeru, Niger State.
According to reports, the bandits attacked a vehicle from Kebbi heading to Onitsha, Anambra State
The kidnappers abducted Chiamaka along with a family of four and k!lled a male passenger.
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It was also gathered that the driver of the vehicle and two other passengers sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital.
Ms. Obi hails from Ogbuokwe Edenta, Okwietiti. Imo State and graduated from Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.
Ex-NYSC member reportedly kidnapped by bandits on her way home after POP in Kebbi

Ex-NYSC member kidnapped after passing out parade in Kebbi

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Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

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Bala Mohammed

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the recently proposed tax reform bills, urging that they be reviewed with a focus on unity rather than division.

He appealed to the president to halt the bills’ progress and conduct wide consultations to ensure they were fair and balanced before being passed into law.

The proposals, particularly the shift to a derivative-based model for distributing value-added tax (VAT), sparked strong objections from northern governors and traditional leaders.

They argue that the model would disproportionately disadvantage less industrialised regions, especially the northern states.

Despite these concerns, the president has rejected calls to withdraw the bills.

Speaking on BBC Hausa Service, Governor Bala warned that the proposed tax reforms would worsen the economic hardship already faced by many northern states.

“Any reform to the tax bill, as it stands, is a recipe for further impoverishment of the north. What we need is a debate on a tax system that will not harm any region,” Governor Mohammed said.

He explained that northern states, many of which already face significant financial challenges, would be further strained by the proposed tax model. For instance, he pointed out that Bauchi State struggles to meet its salary obligations due to insufficient funds.

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“We receive about N2 billion in monthly federal allocation, but our salary bill stands at N4 billion, with local government salaries alone amounting to N3 billion. We also do not receive any derivatives from oil sales due to the current revenue-sharing formula,” he added.

He explained that while northern states are major consumers of goods and services-especially in industries like telecommunications-the tax revenue generated by these sectors often benefits southern states, where the companies’ headquarters are located.

This uneven distribution, according to Governor Bala, exacerbated the financial difficulties of northern states, urging the president to address this disparity and ensure that all regions are fairly represented in the revenue-sharing process.

“We are operating a federal system, and we are one country. No state or region should be disadvantaged in the distribution of revenue,” Governor Bala said.

He also expressed frustration at what he perceived as the president’s lack of willingness to address the concerns raised by northern leaders.

“If the federal government persists with this reform, we will be forced to mobilise our federal lawmakers, who are numerous, to block the bill,” he warned.

“It is as though the President wants to suffocate us, and we are not going to fold our arms or accept this,” he added.

The Bauchi governor also urged President Tinubu to reconsider his stance, reminding him that Nigeria operates under a democratic system where the voices of the people, through their representatives, should be respected.

He pointed out that even the president’s deputy, Kashim Shettima, and other representatives had already objected to the bill and called for its amendment.

Governor Mohammed called for a national dialogue on tax reform, one that aims to unite the country rather than divide it, ensuring that all regions are included in the pursuit of economic fairness and growth.

Tax reform: Tinubu should unite, not divide Nigeria, says Bauchi gov

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Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

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Shawulu Dan-Mammam,Commissioner of Police, Niger State

Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

At least 10 farmers, including women, from Wayam and Belu-Belu villages in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, were reportedly killed by bandits in a brutal early morning attack on Tuesday.

According to local residents, six of the victims were beheaded, with attackers taking away their heads.

The incident has left many residents in shock, with survivors suffering from bullet wounds now receiving treatment at a clinic in Kagara, the Rafi LGA headquarters.

Reports indicate that several people were also kidnapped during the attack, which took place around 5 a.m. as villagers were observing early morning prayers.

Bala Tukur, a resident, revealed that people from Wayam, Belu-Belu, Madaka, and nearby communities have fled to Kagara for safety.

“At Wayam village near Madaka under Kagara town, they mercilessly killed 10 people and injured many. The way they killed us now is very traumatic, I swear. Everybody has fled.

“Many people have not been able to harvest 50 percent of their crops including maize that were ready for harvest and getting those crops harvested now would be hard.

“Recently, residents of Kukoki were asked to pay N1.5 million to be allowed to harvest their crops. They paid but bandits came back to attack them four days ago,” he said.

Locals said bandits had resumed aggressive attacks in the last one week as farmers from Wushishi, Rafi, Shiroro, Mariga and Kontagora LGAs of the state began to harvest their farm produce.

On Friday, it was gathered that bandits invaded the ancient town of Zungeru, Wushishi LGA, moving from house to house including a hotel, and kidnapping the occupants.

One of the residents said the invasion of Zungeru happened around 12am on Saturday during which a staff member of Sino-Hydro, Saidu Yakubu aka Abacha, and his wife, were kidnapped.

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He said, “Around 12am on Saturday, bandits invaded Zungeru town. They started operating at a house in Unguwan-Madaki near Gidan-Kwai, the owner of the house was a former staff member of Sino-Hydro Company. So, they entered the house and tried to force the owner’s apartment open but they couldn’t because of the nature of the doors.

“So, they moved to his mother’s apartment in the same house and they were able to forced the door to her apartment open. So, they took the mum and the younger brother to the owner’s of the house.

“In the process, the mother started pleading with them that the boy they had taken along with her was sick they were just waiting for the day to break to take him to hospital. Luckily, on their way, they released them.

“After releasing them, they passed through graveyard and moved to another house belonging to one Saidu Yakubu popularly known as Abacha, a staff member of Sino-Hydro and kidnapped him and his wife. Then, they moved to Diamond Guest House on Wushishi-Zungeru road but they didn’t take anybody.

“Since Tuesday last week, bandits have gone berserk along Zungeru-Tegina-Kontagora road. Our security Operatives have been battling with them. They killed 8 of our vigilantes. But I learnt that security operatives were able to block them somewhere around Pandogari and since that is the only route through which they can escape, they are currently hiding in that rocky area with the cattle they rusttled.”

He said a day before Zungeru was invaded, a commercial driver was shot dead around Kundu village on Zungeru-Tegina road while one of the passengers sustained injuries and several others were kidnapped.

Similarly, it was gathered that 2 indian nationals were kidnapped on a rice farm in Swashi, Borgu LGA on November 2, 2024.

A resident who preferred anonymity said one of the vigilantes guarding the farm was killed during the attack.

The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed said the state government was aware of the attacks.

He said “The Niger State Government is very much aware. All the security stakeholders have been mobilised to address the issue and prevent future reoccurrence”.

Horror, 10 farmers, 8 vigilante brutally killed, two Indians, others abducted in Niger State

(DailyTrust)

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