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Alleged P&ID scam : Ex-Petroleum ministry’s director dies at Abuja hospital – Lawyer tells court

Published

6 months ago

November 4, 2023

Alleged P&ID scam : Ex-Petroleum ministry’s director dies at Abuja hospital – Lawyer tells court

Daniel Alumun, counsel defending retired Director, Legal, Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Grace Taiga, in the alleged P&ID bribery scam on Friday formally informed an FCT High Court of her dead.

Taiga was standing trial before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on allegations bordering on bribery in the controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

She was dragged before by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 13-count charge bordering on bribery, among others.

EFCC alleged that Taiga received bribe through her offshore bank account in signing the controversial GPSA.

It further alleged that she violated various laws by entering into the Agreement without prior approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and a certificate of no objection to the contract from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (PBE).

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against her.

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The deceased was first arraigned before the court in the case, marked, FCT/HC/CR/504/19, on , Sept 20, 2019 on a- eight-court charge before the charge brought against her was amended by the prosecution twice in the course of presenting its case .

EFCC first amended the charge against the defendant on Oct. 3, 2020 to 11-count and later further amended it to 13-count on Jan. 10, 2021.

In the course of presenting its case, the prosecution called eight witnesses to testify against the defendant and closed its case on Feb. 27, 2023, when the court directed the defendant to open her defence.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, counsel for Taiga, Daniel Alumun, informed the court that the defendant passed on on August 1, 2023 at a hospital in Abuja.

Alumun tendered a letter, titled, “Hospital Death Declaration”, from Primus International Super Speciality Hospital, Karu New Extension, Abuja, to notify the court of the demise of Taiga.

In view of the unfortunate development, the defence counsel, urged the court to dismiss the charge.

The EFCC counsel, Abba Mohammed, however, insisted that a death certificate must be brought before the court by the defence in compliance with the law before the court could dismiss the case.

Justice Adeniyi agreed with the submission of the prosecuting counsel and directed that a death certificate be produced before the court.

He subsequently adjourned the case until Jan. 24, 2024 for compliance with the law by the defence.

Alleged P&ID scam : Ex-Petroleum ministry’s director dies at Abuja hospital – Lawyer tells court

metro

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

At least nine Civilian Joint Task Force members fighting bandits in Sokoto State have been reportedly killed in an ambush, while an unspecified number sustained varying degrees of injury.

It was gathered that three CJTF members were also taken away by the bandits.

A source told our correspondent that the incident occurred last Sunday in Isa Local Government Area of the state.

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Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The CJTF source added that Isa LGA is a stronghold of bandits and very dangerous for security operatives.

“We lost nine members in an ambush in Isa LGA, many others were wounded and three others were abducted in the attack after our members received a distress call to support security operatives.

“We received the sad news two days ago. Since the beginning of this year, when we were asked by the state government to deploy our members to support the troops in the fight against banditry in the North-West.”

Recall that this was the second time bandits would ambush CJTF men in Sokoto State in two months.

Bandits kill nine civilian JTF members, kidnap three in Sokoto

metro

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

Published

5 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has declared Thursday May 30 as sit-at-home day in South East to honour those who fought in the civil war.

In a statement issued by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, said: “The sit-at-home is an annual event held on May 30th to remember the men and women who died during the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi OkwuChukwu Kanu, urged all Biafrans, friends of Biafra, and residents in Biafra Land to observe the sit-at-home and reflect on the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes.

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“All schools, government offices, private offices, banks, transport unions, market unions, and private individuals are expected to shut down operations on May 30th, except for medical personnel and emergency workers.”

IPOB also called on Christians and traditional worshipers to use the day to pray for the fallen heroes and for Biafra’s independence from Nigeria.

The group warned residents to avoid loitering and stay indoors from 6 am to 6 pm to avoid any confrontation with security forces.

“IPOB members in diaspora are encouraged to organize peaceful rallies and seminars to raise awareness about the Biafran struggle and the ongoing genocide against the Biafran people.

By honoring the heroes and heroines of the Biafran struggle, IPOB hopes to keep their memory alive and continue the fight for Biafra’s freedom and independence, ” the statement added.

IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes

metro

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

Published

6 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Trends Admin

Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire

One Dickson Peter has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, ordered the remand of the accused on Thursday.

According to NAN, the police charged 35-year-old peter with two counts of felony and arson.

The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take the defendant’s plea due to want in jurisdiction, ordered that he should be remanded in Abolongo Correctional facility, Oyo Town.

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Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP.

He adjourned the matter until July 23, for mention.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Femi Oluwadare informed the court that Peter on April 18, at about 12:30a.m, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the House of his Landlord, Cepas Okeme and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.

Oluwadare said after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next property belonging to Bose Ali ‘ F’ and also destroyed property worth N3.5 million.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000