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EFCC kicks against Emefiele overseas medical trip

Published

2 months ago

July 9, 2024

Godwin Emefiele

EFCC kicks against Emefiele overseas medical trip

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, opposed an application by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele for the release of his passport to facilitate an overseas medical trip.

Defence counsel, Labi-Lawal, had filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatments which was objected to by the EFCC.

Monday’s affidavit by the defence and the counter-affidavit by the prosecution was in furtherance of the ones made earlier on the matter on June 25, 2024, by both teams.

A statement on Monday by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, furtherance to the counter-affidavit, told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment.

He added that if there was, there was no evidence to support that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.

“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions, “ the statement added.

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Oyewale said the EFCC’s lawyer also argued that Emefiele was a flight risk.

“ The defendant has co-conspirators all over the world. One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts,” Oyewale quoted Omeiza as saying.

In response, Oyewale said the defence counsel dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative, noting that the prosecution could issue an international red alert on the defendant to enable his arrest if he made the overseas medical trip and refused to come back.

He said the trial Judge, Justice Hamza Mu’azu, after listening to both counsel, adjourned ruling on the application till July 16, 2024.

The former CBN governor is facing trial in three separate cases before different judges.

With Justice Mu’azu, he is being tried for procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other charges.

Before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8bn.

Additionally, Emefiele appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5m notes at the cost of N18.96bn.

EFCC kicks against Emefiele overseas medical trip

metro

Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi

Published

10 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a renowned Islamic Scholar in Kaduna State

Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has dismissed allegations that politicians are behind the rising insecurity in northern Nigeria.

In recent months, the North-West region has faced increasing banditry and violence, leading to the deaths of many, including the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. The unrest has sparked claims that politicians may be funding the violence for their own gain.

In 2021, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, alleged that some politicians were sponsoring the banditry seen across the country. However, in an interview with Punch, Sheikh Gumi denied these claims, stating that there is no evidence to suggest that politicians are fueling the unrest in the North.

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He said;

“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education.

“Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the Internet and they see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back. This act is not by anybody.”

Banditry outcome of people neglected for centuries — Gumi

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152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ

Published

11 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba

152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters Friday said troops during the week killed a total of 152 terrorists and arrested 109.

The military high command also stated that the strongholds of two notorious terrorist leaders — the Sadiku enclave at Tsora Hill in Safana Local Government Area, Katsina State; and the Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest, Giwa LG, Kaduna State, were destroyed.

The Director of Media Operations, Edward Buba, in a statement, said the troops’ achievements were an indication that the military was steadily progressing towards the goal of destroying all criminal elements.

“The war against terrorists, insurgents, violent extremists and others perpetrating insecurity in the country rages, and troops are sustaining the momentum to achieve victory. Indeed, the armed forces are steadily progressing towards the goal of destruction of all these elements.

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“Given recent events, the military learns every day and makes improvements on ways to better deal with threat situations posed by these terror groups. Troops are moving in against the terrorists and denying them freedom of action.

“During the week, troops carried out surgical operations against two prominent terrorist commanders and decimated their strongholds, namely, Sadiku enclave in Tsora Hill in Safana LGA of Katsina State and Alhaji Yusuf enclave in Yadi Forest in Giwa LGA of Kaduna State.”

“Overall, troops operations during the week resulted in 152 terrorists neutralised, 109 arrested and 91 hostages rescued,” Buba said.

He noted that during the operations against crude oil theft, products worth N795 million were recovered.

Buba urged the citizens to support the troops to win the war against insecurity in the country.

152 terrorists killed, 109 arrested in 1 week – DHQ

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Six kidnappers arrested in Delta, N2.3m ransom recovered

Published

14 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Trends Admin

Commissioner of Police, Delta State CP Olufemi Abaniwonda

Six kidnappers arrested in Delta, N2.3m ransom recovered

Six persons have been apprehended in Delta State over their alleged involvement in kidnapping.

The suspects were arrested in Uvwie Local Government Area of the State by police operatives from Ebrumede Division.

They also recovered from them a ransom of N2,344,000 (Two million, three hundred and forty-four thousand naira), with some stolen mobile phones.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda announced the development while briefing journalists in Asaba.

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CP Abaniwonda said, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Ebrumede division while on patrol duty intercepted a tricycle conveying six-passengers.

“The suspects on sighting the Police attempted to escape but the operatives chased and arrested them.

“Upon search of the suspects, two million, three hundred and forty-four thousand naira was recovered.

“Some suspected stolen phones were also recovered. Further investigation revealed that the phone belonged to their kidnapped victims and the money was part of the ransom the victims paid for their freedom.”