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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EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

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#EndBadGovernance: Borno minors still in detention, defence lawyer cries out

Three minors in Borno State, detained for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, remain in custody despite a recent directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their release.

While President Tinubu’s order, issued three days ago, led to the release of detained minors in Abuja, the minors in Borno remain held in a juvenile facility in Maiduguri. Barrister Yakubu Alhaji Adamu, their defense lawyer, confirmed they are still detained due to a court order.

Initially, the minors appeared before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali at the State High Court 10 in Maiduguri, where they entered pleas of not guilty.

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The judge ordered their remand in the juvenile facility, scheduling the next hearing for November 18, 2024.

Salamtu Idrisa from the Public Prosecutions Office in the Borno State Ministry of Justice noted they had not received formal communication about the minors’ release. “If there is any update on their release, we will be informed,” she stated.

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Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

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Governor Uba Sani and the released protesters

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

Thirty-nine minors from Kaduna State, previously detained by the federal government, were reunited with their families on Wednesday at a ceremony held at the “Children’s Homes” on Katuru Road in Kaduna. Each child received N100,000 and an Itel A18s smartphone to support their reintegration process.

Governor Uba Sani, represented by Dr. Abdulkadir Muazu Meyere, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, assured the children of continued support from the state to aid their transition back into society.

He emphasized the administration’s dedication to helping these minors become responsible, law-abiding citizens through rehabilitation and empowerment initiatives.

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Meyere announced that the governor had instructed the collection of educational credentials from those who completed tertiary studies. The government plans to offer assistance such as start-up capital, skills training, and potential employment opportunities.

He noted that the government would monitor each child’s behaviour and provide further support based on their conduct.

For proper follow-up, contact information, including addresses, phone numbers, and next-of-kin details, was recorded for each minor to ensure ongoing support and guidance.

Kaduna Govt offers N100,000, smartphones to released minors

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Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

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Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

Hilda Dirisu, the ex-girlfriend of reality star Somadina Anyama, has publicly shared the disturbing details of her relationship with the reality TV personality, revealing incidents of abuse and harassment.

Hilda’s allegations come after rumors surfaced that she was responsible for causing a rift between Soma and his fellow Big Brother Naija contestant, Angel Smith, following their decision to unfollow each other on social media.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Hilda recounted the emotional and physical abuse she allegedly endured while dating Soma.

She explained that the duo had stopped communicating in July, but claimed that Soma continued to stalk her and beg for reconciliation.

Hilda went on to accuse him of hitting her head against a wall, physically roughing her up, and smashing her phone, leaving her with bruises on her lips.

“I stopped talking to him in July, but he wouldn’t let go. He stalked me and begged me to get back with him. It didn’t stop there—he also drugged me, hit me, tied me up, and even smashed my phone,” Hilda wrote in part.

She also revealed that Soma’s actions instilled a deep sense of fear in her, which she carried throughout the course of their relationship.

In addition to speaking out about the abuse, Hilda discussed the involvement of Soma’s mother in their tumultuous relationship.

She claimed that Soma’s mother had harassed her and even intervened in July when Hilda shared her struggles publicly, with the reality star’s mother allegedly calling her and issuing a stern warning.

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Further fueling the controversy, Hilda addressed accusations that she had stolen a bracelet, a claim that had circulated online.

She urged fans to direct any questions regarding the matter to Soma himself, suggesting that he was the one responsible for the rumors.

These revelations come in the wake of speculation in 2023 that Soma and Angel Smith had parted ways.

Netizens Reactions…

@ujhairplanet_beautyaccessories said: “Watched him and Angel on big brother whatever you said he did he did it . Big brother and many other viewers saw it too.”

@she_is_toni said: “I believe everything cos he exhibited the signs.”

@hello.lianah said: “I thought we all saw this happening during that their bbn??”

@twinkleemami said: “I believe this lady!!!

@Merald__Ayomi said: “So Soma had Angel and was still forcing himself on you?? Omooo.” @TokyosBite: “So sorry you had to go through this.”

@DeewayBoy said: “Na here e dey happen.I don mount.”

@Abbietrends said: “Ah really ? Same soma . Ehn Ehn.”

See below;

Reality star Soma’s ex-girlfriend says he’s a bully

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