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Court turns down ex-power minister’s request for overseas medical trip
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Court turns down ex-power minister’s request for overseas medical trip
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Wednesday refused to grant an application filed by Dr Olu Agunloye, a former minister of power and steel, seeking to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting him over certain infractions regarding the $ 6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station in Taraba.
Agunloye, who served as a minister in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is being prosecuted by EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.
He was charged in the suit, marked FCT/HC/CR/617/22, with a seven-count charge bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order and corruption.
He was alleged to have , among others, on May 22, 2003 awarded a contract titled “Construction of 3,960 megawatt Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Station on build, operate and transfer basis to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited without any budgetary provision, approval and cash backing.
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The prosecution also alleged that it traced some suspicious payments made by Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited to the former minister’s accounts.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Delivering a ruling, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, held that the defendant failed to adduce sufficient evidence to show that his ailment could not be treated by a hospital in Nigeria.
He therefore dismissed his application to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The judge subsequently, adjourned until Sept 23 for continuation of trial.
On January 11, Agunloye was arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on fraudulent award of contract and official corruption.
The court admitted him to bail in the sum of N50 million.
The court also seized his passport as one of the bail conditions.
Agunloye, through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, had applied for the release of his passport to enable him travel.
At the last adjourned date, Adedipe said his client needed urgent medical attention abroad.
Some of the documents tendered by the defence lawyer included medical reports from University College Hospital, Ibadan and the NISA Premier Hospital, Abuja.
The defendant also included a letter from the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and an invitation from a foreign medical analyst requesting him to travel abroad for an urgent medical evaluation.
However, the application was opposed by the EFCC which claimed the former minister was a flight risk, having amply demonstrated unwillingness to present himself for trial until he was declared wanted.
Court turns down ex-power minister’s request for overseas medical trip
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Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi
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Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed allegations that politicians are behind the rising insecurity in northern Nigeria.
In recent months, the North-West region has faced increasing banditry and violence, leading to the deaths of many, including the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. The unrest has sparked claims that politicians may be funding the violence for their own gain.
In 2021, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, alleged that some politicians were sponsoring the banditry seen across the country. However, in an interview with Punch, Sheikh Gumi denied these claims, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that politicians are fueling the unrest in the North.
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He said;
“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education.
“Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the Internet and they see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back. This act is not by anybody.”
Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi
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152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ
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152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ
The Defence Headquarters Friday said troops during the week killed a total of 152 terrorists and arrested 109.
The military high command also stated that the strongholds of two notorious terrorist leaders — the Sadiku enclave at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area, Katsina State; and the Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest, Giwa LG, Kaduna State, were destroyed.
The Director of Media Operations, Edward Buba, in a statement, said the troops’ achievements were an indication that the military was steadily progressing towards the goal of destroying all criminal elements.
“The war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and others perpetrating insecurity in the country rages, and troops are sustaining the momentum to achieve victory. Indeed, the armed forces are steadily progressing towards the goal of destruction of all these elements.
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“Given recent events, the military learns every day and makes improvements on ways to better deal with threat situations posed by these terror groups. Troops are moving in against the terrorists and denying them freedom of action.
“During the week, troops carried out surgical operations against two prominent terrorist commanders and decimated their strongholds, namely, Sadiku enclave in Tsora Hill in Safana LGA of Katsina State and Alhaji Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.”
“Overall, troops operations during the week resulted in 152 terrorists neutralised, 109 arrested and 91 hostages rescued,” Buba said.
He noted that during the operations against crude oil theft, products worth N795 million were recovered.
Buba urged the citizens to support the troops to win the war against insecurity in the country.
152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ
metro
Six kidnappers arrested in Delta, N2.3m ransom recovered
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Six kidnappers arrested in Delta, N2.3m ransom recovered
Six persons have been apprehended in Delta State over their alleged involvement in kidnapping.
The suspects were arrested in Uvwie Local Government Area of the State by police operatives from Ebrumede Division.
They also recovered from them a ransom of N2,344,000 (Two million, three hundred and forty-four thousand naira), with some stolen mobile phones.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda announced the development while briefing journalists in Asaba.
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CP Abaniwonda said, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Ebrumede division while on patrol duty intercepted a tricycle conveying six-passengers.
“The suspects on sighting the Police attempted to escape but the operatives chased and arrested them.
“Upon search of the suspects, two million, three hundred and forty-four thousand naira was recovered.
“Some suspected stolen phones were also recovered. Further investigation revealed that the phone belonged to their kidnapped victims and the money was part of the ransom the victims paid for their freedom.”
Six kidnappers arrested in Delta, N2.3m ransom recovered
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