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Court rejects Lulu-Briggs’ plea to vacate EFCC’s arrest warrant

Published

2 years ago

September 28, 2022

Seinya Luku-Briggs

A Federal High Court in Abuja has declined granting an application by Seinya Luku-Briggs, Chairman, Board of Directors, Moni Pulo Limited, to vacate the EFCC’s warrant of arrest to probe her.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, Tuesday, held that it was the duty of the anti-graft agency to carry out its investigation conclusively.

Nwite said the EFCC’s application for arrest warrant against Lulu-Briggs, earlier granted by retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, could not be said to be out of tune with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Taiwo had, on May 18, granted EFCC’s prayers in an ex-parte motion moved by the commission’s lawyer, Olanrewaju Adeola, for a warrant of arrest against Lulu-Briggs.

The court had directed the anti-graft agency, Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police, Interpol and other security agencies to arrest her anywhere she was sighted within or outside Nigeria for probe.

But in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/653/2022, Lulu-Briggs, through her lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court for an order vacating the ex-parte warrant of arrest issued by Taiwo against her.

The motion dated and filed July 25, gave 18 grounds why the May 18 order should be discharged.

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According the senior advocate, the issues for which the arrest order was made were purely commercial and subject of the judgment of the honourable court delivered on April 21, 2015 in suit no. FHC/PH/CP/2/2012.

Uche said that the issues leading to granting the arrest warrant were the same with the subject matter of pending commercial litigations in suit no: FHC/CA/CS/16/2021 before the Calabar Division of the court.

“At the material time of the alleged offences, the applicant was not a shareholder of the company as to be held accountable for the offences alleged to have been committed before she became a shareholder and director of the company.

“The applicant had obtained a judgment against the EFCC and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for the breach of her fundamental human rights over the same subject matter of investigation.

“By the said judgment of this honourable court delivered on 21st February, 2022, the EFCC and the NIS were each ordered to pay the applicant the sum of N15 million and render a public apology to her,” Uche said.

“The senior advocate of Nigeria said that the petitions presented by EFCC on which basis the order of arrest was made were offered as the defence by EFCC in the current suit.

“In the judgment dated 21st February, 2022 delivered in suit number: FHC/L/CS/147/2020, this honourable court made orders of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC and the NIS from intercepting, harassing, arresting, interrogating or detaining the applicant within and outside Nigeria.

“Though the EFCC filed notice of appeal against the judgment on 13th May, 2022, no other step has been taken in respect thereof.

“The orders of perpetual injunction granted against the arrest of applicant by the judgment dated 21st April, 2022 in suit number: FHC/L/CS/147/2020 has neither been vacated nor upturned on appeal,” he said.

But in his ruling, Nwite said after perusing all the applications and affidavits filed by the parties, he found that the earlier court judgment cited in the motion had nothing to do with the EFCC’s investigation.

The judge further said that the judgment of the court was categorically on the freedom of movement of the applicant (Lulu-Briggs).

Besides, Nwite held that the EFCC was not a party to the suit in Calabar jurisdiction of the court and would, therefore, not be bound by the decision of the court.

“The order of the court cannot stop the respondent (EFCC) from carrying out its statutory duties. I therefore refuse the application,” he said.

Eagle

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Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Published

6 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Trends Admin

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

Former Secretary of the Association of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), Kaduna State chapter, Alhaji Kabiru Jarimi, has refuted ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s claim that he never interfered with Area Councils’ funds during his tenure.

Jarimi, who served under El-Rufai’s administration, described the claim as misleading, stating that funds were routinely deducted from councils’ allocations under various guises by the previous government.

The ex-ALGON State Secretary, who is also the former Chairman of Kaduna South local government, disclosed this in an interview over the weekend.

“I was shocked by El Rufai’s comment because local government funds were deducted without our approval. Most of the deductions targeted Southern Kaduna LGAs.

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“We never got our full allocations under El-Rufai. His government kept introducing policies to deduct funds unnecessarily. I even considered resigning. At times, we had no funds for overhead costs after paying salaries,” he recalled.

Jarimi, who said that El-Rufai justified the deductions as necessary to settle workers’ salaries, further noted that the state government also employed various means to withdraw additional funds.

The former Council Chairman cited the creation of the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority, Zaria Metropolitan Authority and Kafanchan Municipal Authority as a means of shortchanging local governments.

“Salaries were shared 60–40 between the capital territories and LGs around them. In Kaduna South, deductions were made in the name of sanitation, forcing us to remit funds to the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA) every month,” he stated.

The former Chairman further alleged that the funds of local governments outside the capital territories were also deducted without explanation, citing deductions for security and ‘riot damage.’

Ex-LG chair challenges El-Rufai’s claims on council funds

metro

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

Published

6 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Trends Admin

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Stephen Echezona of St. Patrick Church, Ichida, has been reportedly abducted by gunmen in Anambra State.

According to a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday when four armed men, operating in a white Lexus 330 SUV with an unknown registration number, intercepted the cleric and whisked him away along with his Toyota Highlander SUV.

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A joint team of security operatives and local vigilantes (AVG) were said to have responded swiftly to the attack, pursuing the assailants and engaging them in a gun duel at a road intersection between Oraeri and Akwaeze villages.

Though the criminals managed to escape, their Lexus SUV sustained significant damage, including a shattered rear windshield.

The Anambra Police Command is yet to release a statement on the abduction of the priest.

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest in Anambra

metro

Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

Published

6 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Trends Admin

Adeleke University didn’t suspend Muslims for praying – MSSN

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Branch, Ede, Osun State, has described as “fake news” a statement credited to MURIC which alleged the suspension of a Muslim student of the university over Friday prayers.

The association, in a statement signed by its Ameer, Imran Adigun AbdulHakeem, on Sunday, said MURIC’s reports circulated on social media were a misrepresentation of happenings within the university, saying “our faith is respected by the management.”

In another letter, the association apologised to the director and facilitator of the university, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, whom the association credited with providing a conducive atmosphere for Muslim students to practise their faith.

The letter reads: “On behalf of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, [I] write to address the ongoing misinformation circulating on social media and other platforms regarding the suspension of Muslim Students for praying on Campus.

“On the 14th of March, 2025, we were temporarily suspended from observing our Night Ramadan Prayers (Taraweeh) and Jummat prayers on campus on the orders of the Director of Security Service (DSS).

“However, on the 18th of March, we met with Dr. Mrs. Modupe Adeleke regarding these challenges.

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“She provided us with a place where we could observe Ramadan, Jummat prayers, and the five daily prayers which we accepted. As a result, the suspension has been lifted, and we have resumed prayers at the new location provided by the university on the orders of Dr Modupe Adeleke.

“At no time have Muslim Students been forced to change their beliefs. While challenges may arise in any diverse academic institution, the university management has always been open to dialogue, and we have continued to receive support in practicing our faith.

“Adeleke University has provided a peaceful and respectful environment for all faiths, and we continue to practice our religion freely.

“We urge the public to disregard the misinformation that may have been spread regarding this matter as they do not reflect the reality of our experiences,” the letter to the university management noted.

The letter of apology to Chief (Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni reads: “As-salamu alaykum (peace be upon you). On behalf of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Adeleke University Chapter, I apologize for any distress caused by the false social media reports.

“We assure you that we had no hand in spreading the misinformation. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, guidance, and kindness towards us.

“Your commitment to our well-being and academic success is invaluable, and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us. May Allah (SWT) reward you abundantly for your good deeds. Jazakumullah khairan (may Allah reward you with goodness).

“Thank you for being an exceptional Mother and mentor. We are blessed to have you,” the letter added.