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EFCC arraigns two for alleged N35 million fraud in Enugu

Published

9 months ago

February 25, 2024

Mokawo Ahmed Yakubu and Chibuzor Okpara

EFCC arraigns two for alleged N35 million fraud in Enugu

The Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned the duo of Mokawo Ahmed Yakubu and Chibuzor Okpara before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N35,000,000.00 (Thirty-Five Million Naira).

One of the counts reads; “That you, Mokawo Ahmed Yakubu, Chibuzor Okpara and Obinna Magnus Amadi (At large) on 3rd November, 2022 in Owerri, Imo State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced one Alhaji Tukur Yuguda to deliver to you the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) under the pretence that you will supply to him (Alhaji Tulur Yuguda) five pieces of Howo Truck, Two Howo single head and other accessories which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.

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They pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to them. In view of their pleas, Nuradeen Shehu Ingawa, Counsel to the EFCC prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution to prove its case and for the defendants to be remanded at the Correctional facility.

The defence counsel, Arinze Anyigo, however prayed the court to remand the defendants at the EFCC’s facility.

Justice Umar thereafter adjourned the matter to March 6, 2024 for hearing of bail application. The defendants were remanded at the EFCC’s facility.

The defendants allegedly lured one Alhaji Tukur Yuguda, to deliver to them the sum of N35million under the pretence that they will supply to him five pieces of Howo Truck, Two Howo single head and other accessories.

The petitioner found out he was defrauded after making payments and all efforts made to recover the money from the defendants proved abortive.

EFCC arraigns two for alleged N35 million fraud in Enugu

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We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

Published

11 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Hamdiyya Sidi

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

The Sokoto Police Command has refuted claims circulated by an online platform alleging that Hamdiyya Sidi was arrested and detained for criticizing Governor Ahmed Aliyu.

Labeling the reports as baseless, police officials clarified that Sidi was detained following a complaint lodged against her for allegedly inciting public unrest.

In a statement issued by the Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Ahmed Rufai, the police detailed that Sidi allegedly admitted to inciting residents to violence during questioning.

According to the statement, Sidi allegedly presented herself as a humanitarian seeking to assist local residents with donations, but later used the platform to incite them, prompting law enforcement action.

The statement read: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto Command, has been drawn to the ongoing falsehood and misinformation circulated by social media handles on the purported story that the Nigeria Police, Sokoto Command, secretly arrested and arraigned a woman who lamented on the recent rise in killings in Sokoto for embarrassing Governor Aliyu Ahmed Sokoto. This is false and misleading.”

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The statement continued to clarify the situation, explaining: “On the 3rd of November 2024 at 1700hrs, Marafa Yakubu, the village head of Sabon Birnin Daji village in Wurno Local Government Area, reported to the police that a woman, later identified as Hamdiyya Sidi from Munki village in the same local government, had visited the area, claiming to represent a charity aimed at assisting women and youth. She reportedly requested to address women in the community, intending to distribute aid to those in need.

“However, instead of distributing relief items as promised, she began encouraging the women to forcibly seize government properties in Wammako Local Government Area, claiming ownership rights over them.”

Yakubu observed the rising tension among community members and alerted local guards, who detained Sidi and subsequently handed her over to the police. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the offence and was charged to court within 24 hours for the offence of inciting disturbance,” the statement added.

The Sokoto Police emphasized, “One of our constitutional responsibilities is to investigate crimes, both minor and major, and the case of Hamdiyya is no exception.”

The Commissioner of Police advised residents to carefully consider the information they share publicly, warning against the spread of misinformation that could disrupt the state’s peace.

“Sokoto State Police Command remains committed to protecting fundamental human rights while carrying out its duties,” the statement concluded.

We didn’t arrest Hamdiyya Sidi for criticising Sokoto governor – Police

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Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

Published

25 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

In a significant development, the Governing Council of Federal University Lokoja has approved the dismissal of four lecturers over allegations of examination malpractices and sexual misconduct.

According to reports, the decision was made during the council’s Second Meeting on Thursday, following a thorough investigation into the accusations that surfaced last year.

Led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the council commended the university’s management for adhering to due process in investigating the claims of examination misconduct and sexual harassment against the lecturers involved.

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Ndoma-Egba stated, “The council will not tolerate any unethical conduct in the university” and called for prompt resolution of other pending misconduct cases, particularly one within the Faculty of Science that has gained media attention.

In a caution to staff and lecturers, the council emphasized its commitment to addressing any form of student molestation and urged students to report incidents of misconduct without fear.

Four varsity lecturers dismissed for sexual misconduct

metro

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Trends Admin

BREAKING: FEC proposes N47.9 trillion budget for 2025 fiscal year

The federal government has unveiled a proposed budget of N47.9 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year.

Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Bagudu revealed that the council had approved the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2025-2027.

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According to the minister, the government has pegged the crude oil benchmark at $75 per barrel, with an oil production target of 2.06 million barrels per day (bpd).

The budget also sets the exchange rate at N1,400 per dollar and aims for a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of 6.4%.