Alleged N130m fraud: Court orders arraignment of property developer for alleged harassment, threat to life – Newstrends
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Alleged N130m fraud: Court orders arraignment of property developer for alleged harassment, threat to life

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Alleged N130m fraud: Court orders arraignment of property developer for alleged harassment, threat to life

Justice Mohammed Madugu of the FCT High Court, siting in Bwari has ordered that one Cecil Osakwe, a defendant in a case of alleged criminal intimidation be arraigned before the court.

Madugu ordered that Osakwe should be arraigned in the court on Nov. 6.

The judge gave the order in his ruling on Friday, following a motion for preliminary objection filed earlier by Osakwe’s Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, asking the court to disregard the suit before it, based on an earlier judgment in another court.

Madugu, however, said that the earlier case with suit no: FCT/C/2435/2021, whose judgment was delivered by Justice Usman Othman in an FCT High Court in Jabi, Abuja was distinctively different from the one before him.

While noting that the parties involved in the matter were not the same and that the issues raised were also not the same, the judge explained that one was a civil case and the other, a criminal case.

“The defendant here is charged with potential criminal liability for a separate alleged offence, based on inquiries of police investigation, which includes intimidation, threat to life, harassment and fraud.

“The court is guided by principles of law. Civil and criminal matters are different. Civil matters do not automatically exonerate an individual from a potential criminal charge.

“I must emphasise, the judgement in a civil case with suit no: FCT/CV/2435/2021, does not absolve Mr Cecil Osakwe from a potential criminal activity.

“It is in the interest of justice that the defendant determines his innocence with respect to the claimant’s charge.’’

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According to Madugu, the defendant is to be arraigned and plea charges filed against him.

“The arraignment is to provide the prosecution an opportunity, to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt while the defendant stands in defence.”

The judge while refusing the defence notice of preliminary objection also adjourned the matter until Nov. 6 for arraignment of the suspect.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defendant, Cecil Osakwe, a property developer, was charged with fraud and criminal intimidation of one Ms Asabe Waziri.

In the charge, with number CR/244/2022, dated June 9, 2022 and filed on June 14, 2022, Osakwe was accused of Advanced Fee Fraud, punishable under Section 3(1) of the Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Osakwe was accused of threatening Waziri with injury, and intent to cause her harm and even death.

The act was allegedly, to cause Waziri to stop requesting her receipt of payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartments in Maitama Abuja.

Maitama is a cozy suburb of Abuja.

The charge read: “That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Ltd., sometime in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court obtained by false pretence and with intent to defraud, the sum of N130,000,000 00.

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“The sum is payment for the purchase of a two-bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartment, located at No. 1, Mekong Close, Maitama, Abuja from one Ms Asabe Waziri.

“You failed to deliver the property and you did not refund her money.

“You thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 3 (1), and punishable under same Section of the Advance Fee Fraud, Cap. Ab, LFN, 2004.

“That you Cecil Osakwe, male, adult of Abeh Signature Limited, sometime in 2021 in Abuja, Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court threatened Ms Asabe Waziri with injury to her person and reputation.

“This you did with intent to cause harm and even death in order to cause her to stop requesting legitimately from you her receipt for payment for the purchase of a unit of two bedroom flat with a maid’s quarter at Abeh Signature Apartment, 1, Mekong Close, Abuja from you and the deeds of assignment thereof.

“You thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 396 (2) and punishable under Section 397(a) of the Penal Code Law (Cap. 89).”

NAN also reports that the matter was re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Madugu after the defendant failed on three occasions, to appear before Justice Mohammed Idris of the FCT High Court, sitting in Jabi for arraignment.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Victor Giwa, had earlier, argued that the subject-matter before the court by the prosecuting counsel had previously been decided and settled by another court in a suit file: FCT/HC /CV/2435/ 2021 on March 17, 2022.

In a preliminary objection, Giwa submitted that the court should decline the prosecutor’s application to re-litigate the matter and dismiss it for lack of jurisdiction.

He argued that an appeal was already ongoing on the earlier judgment and that hearing the matter would only mean “a breach of Section 287(3) of the Constitution and a serious professional misconduct against any counsel to represent”.

Giwa also asked the court to charge the prosecuting counsel N100, 000 for re-litigating the matter, adding that the move was not only an abuse of the court but also intended to extort the defendant.

Alleged N130m fraud: Court orders arraignment of property developer for alleged harassment, threat to life

(NAN)

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

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NURTW scribe felicitates Nigerians on Xmas, urges caution 

 

The General Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, has enjoined Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of peace, love and compassion as taught through the birth of Jesus Christ.

He stated this in his Christmas and end of the year goodwill message to felicitate members of the union and Nigerians in general.

Agbeyangi urged Nigerians to use the festive season to reflect on the values of love, compassion, and sacrifice that Jesus Christ embodied.

“This period is not for merry making alone; we should also spare time to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

“His birth teaches humility, love compassion and sacrifice. As Nigerians, we must show love to our fellow county men. We must love our country. As Nigerians, we must be ready to make sacrifices for the nation.”

The NURTW scribe also used the opportunity to appeal to members of the union and other road users to always exercise caution and adhere to all safety protocols while travelling during the festive season.

“As we celebrate, let us not forget the importance of road safety. The roads can be treacherous, especially during the festive season.

“I urge our members and all road users to drive safely, avoid overspending, overtaking at dangerous bends and overloading, and be courteous to other road users,” he stated.

He also advised drivers that all their vehicle papers should be up to date to avoid embarrassment from law enforcement officers on the highways.

Comrade Agbeyangi prayed for a peaceful and joyous celebration, and wished members of the union and Nigerians, a happy prosperous New Year.

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Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

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Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

 

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has said the “Jesus Christ is Not God” banner placed on the fence of the mosque was not intended to provoke anybody. The banner became a source of controversy after a picture of it was shared on social media, with many calling it an…

The Chief Imam of Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, Ridwanullah Jamiu, has said the “Jesus Christ is Not God” banner placed on the fence of the mosque was not intended to provoke anybody.

The banner became a source of controversy after a picture of it was shared on social media, with many calling it an attack on the Christian faith.

 

Addressing his congregation, Jamiu said the banner was displayed to educate Muslims.

 

He said, “When you come to Lekki Central Mosque, at least you should learn something. You pass by the banners outside, you look here and there, you learn something because Islam treasures knowledge.”

The Imam said all the banners displayed outside the mosque contain Quran and Hadith verses.

 

He said after a photo of one of the banners went viral, he “received calls from the government, local government, and area command appealing to us to please remove the banners because of the festive period.”

 

He said the display of the banners was not to provoke anyone, noting that there’s a difference between propagation of Islam and provocation.

 

“It was not placed there just yesterday. It has been there for about two months or thereabout. We are peace loving people, we don’t provoke anyone. We only propagate our name,” he said.

Jamiu further stated that nobody can monopolise Jesus because Muslims also have what they believe about him as backed by the Quran which calls him Isah.

 

“If you don’t believe in Jesus, you are not a Muslim. We are Muslims and anything we believe must be in consonant with the Quran and the Quran says Jesus Christ is not God, he’s a messenger of God. We quoted this verse in the banner. Is there anything wrong if we paste what we believe on our territory to educate our congregation? It’s a verse of the Quran. This is freedom of religion, freedom of speech,” he said.

 

On the removal of the banner, Jamiu said he received multiple calls ascribing the gesture as cowardice.

 

 

“It is not cowardice. We removed it to let peace reign, to obey our government because we are peace-loving people and also because we know it’s a festive period, people may think it was actually calculated to enrage others. We are going to modify it and put it back. We are not cowards,” he said.

 

The banner has since been replaced with another which says “A

llah is the lord of Jesus.”

 

Why we displayed ‘Jesus Christ is not God’ banner at Lekki mosque -Imam

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CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

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CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a N150 million fine on a commercial bank for failing to dispense cash through its Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

This action follows an unannounced inspection by the apex bank, which uncovered deliberate cash hoarding and ATM manipulation by the erring bank.

Sources within the CBN revealed that the sanctioned bank was caught disabling its ATMs, thereby denying customers access to their funds while prioritizing cash disbursements to select VIP clients.

A staff member of the CBN stressed that the apex bank would not tolerate such practices.

“The Bank will not spare any Deposit Money Bank (DMB) caught in the act of hoarding cash or found favoring VIP customers over other customers,” the official stated.

To this end, the CBN has intensified spot checks on banks nationwide, exposing various illicit cash-handling practices by some unscrupulous financial institutions.

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For now, the CBN is imposing financial penalties on defaulting banks. However, according to the official, the next phase of enforcement will include publicly naming and shaming offending banks and prosecuting implicated bank officials.

“This fine is just the beginning. The CBN is determined to hold banks accountable for any actions that undermine public trust and the integrity of the banking system,” the official added.

Despite the ongoing challenges, the CBN has reiterated its commitment to promoting cashless banking in the country.

Another senior official disclosed that the apex bank’s management is intensifying efforts to encourage the use of electronic channels for transactions.

“The frustration faced by account holders is undermining our push for a cashless economy. We are doubling down on initiatives to restore public confidence in electronic banking solutions,” the official said.

CBN fines bank found hoarding cash N150m

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