metro
EFCC arraigns syndicate impersonating anti-graft chairman Olukoyede
EFCC arraigns syndicate impersonating anti-graft chairman Olukoyede
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim, for impersonating and attempting to blackmail the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede.
They were arraigned on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja.
The suspects allegedly contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, claiming to have access to a phoney investigation involving him by the EFCC. They demanded $1 million, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for them. They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution should he fail to play along with them.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against the duo for impersonation and attempted fraud.
Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Ojobo Joshua (aka PA to chairman EFCC) and Aliyu Hashim, on or about September 28, 2024, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, attempted to obtain the sum of $700,000 (seven hundred thousand United States dollars) by false pretence from Mohammed Bello-Koko. You falsely represented to him that there was a pending EFCC petition against him, which you could influence the Executive Chairman to halt. This act is contrary to Section 8(b) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.”
READ ALSO:
- Man stabs 65-year-old caretaker in P’Harcourt for allegedly causing his misfortunes
- Naira trades for N1,740/$ in parallel market
- Six hospitalised in Ondo after thugs attack PDP supporters
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
Following their pleas, EFCC’s counsel, Elizabeth Alabi, requested the court to remand the defendants in a correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial. She said, “Having pleaded not guilty, my Lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody.”
Obinna S. Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant, applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail. Justice Onwuebuzie, however, directed Oriobe to formally submit the bail application in writing.
Alabi opposed the bail applications, referencing a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit and Exhibit EFCC 1 and urging the court to deny the defendant bail and grant an accelerated hearing.
After reviewing the applications, Justice Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service. The sureties are also required to submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring the defendant to every court sitting. The first defendant must also surrender his international passport to the court.
The court ordered that the first and second defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met and adjourned the matter till November 18, 2024, for the hearing of the second defendant’s bail application.
Joshua and Hashim are members of an alleged four-man syndicate impersonating Olukoyede. They were arrested on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo legislative quarters.
EFCC arraigns syndicate impersonating anti-graft chairman Olukoyede
metro
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that about 200,000 repentant terrorists have so far dropped their arms and surrendered to troops in the North East, noting that the twin strategy of kinetic and non-kinetic operations was responsible for this achievement.
The CDS made this known at the Security and Justice Symposium organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the British High Commission, which began at the National Counterterrorism Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.
He disclosed that the theme of the symposium, ”Securing Peace, Ensuring Justice, Protection, Conduct, and Accountability,” speaks volumes about the deluge of security challenges the armed forces and security agencies are facing.
His words, “All the challenges we are facing today have to do with fairness, equity, justice, and accountability.
“There will not be peace without justice, equity, fairness, and accountability. In our operations, we are conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies, which have to a large extent yielded significant successes, and we want to particularly thank the National Security Adviser for his great support in this regard.
“Nigeria is going through so many challenges, and we feel we’re able to address this, and everybody has a sense of belonging. A lot of the security challenges we are having, we are sure, will go down. I want to thank the National Security Advisor for all the support he’s given us, both the kinetic and the non-kinetic.
“We have said it; the kinetic aspect is just less than 30%. The non-kinetic has a lot to play. The non-kinetic, because when you have democracy, people must have the evidence of democracy. As long as it tells people to sleep well and be peaceful, and they are hungry, their children cannot eat, and all this creates more problems.
READ ALSO:
- Canadian university offers funded national scholarship program for 2025
- Israeli strikes pound central Beirut, suburbs
- Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
“The issue of informants. We have to look at how we tackle this issue of informants. Because these are the people who have created the issue.
200,000 repentant terrorists surrender, drop arms in North East – CDS
metro
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
The spokesperson for the police in Delta State, SP Bright Edafe, has confirmed the death of two robbery suspects in the state.
Mr Edafe, who disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Warri, said that the deceased were killed from the bullets shot by their gang members.
According to him, the incident occurred on Wednesday at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Edafe explained that the deceased were leading the police surveillance team attached to the Ekpan Division to their hideout when they were caught during a shoot-out.
READ ALSO:
- French football star, Paul Pogba’s blackmail trial begin in Paris
- French football star, Paul Pogba’s blackmail trial begin in Paris
- Vigilante arrested in Anambra for robbery
“The suspects were arrested at Effurun roundabout with a bag containing 57 live cartridges and other items. They were leading the surveillance team to their hideout at Warri/Sapele road when their gang members, on sighting the vehicle of the police team, engaged them in a shootout.During the gun duel, the arrested suspects that were leading the police team were fatally wounded by the gun shot of their colleagues. The two injured suspects were taken to the hospital and later died while receiving treatment,” he said.
Mr Edafe said that items recovered from the hoodlums hideout included: one English pump action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges.
Others were: six iPhones, Smart phones and a Rolex wrist watch.
He said that the command had intensified manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang.
Robbers kill two members in shoot-out with Delta police
(NAN)
metro
Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured
Akwa Ibom businessman abducted, driver killed, police orderly injured
-
metro22 hours ago
BREAKING: Port Harcourt refinery begins operation
-
Business3 days ago
Just in: Dangote refinery reduces petrol price for marketers
-
metro2 days ago
40-foot container falls on car in Lagos
-
Politics3 days ago
2027: Lagos Speaker, Obasa joins gov race, may battle Seyi Tinubu, others
-
Politics2 days ago
Lagos 2027: Seyi Tinubu campaign team releases his life documentary
-
International2 days ago
Trump to sack 15,000 transgender officers from U.S. military: Report
-
Entertainment2 days ago
Polygamy best form of marriage for Africa – Okey Bakassi
-
Education15 hours ago
US University opens 2025 scholarships for international students