EFCC re-arraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed over N5.78bn fraud – Newstrends
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EFCC re-arraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed over N5.78bn fraud

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2 months ago

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Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed over N5.78bn fraud

Former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State was on Monday re-arraigned alongside his finance commissioner, Ademola Banu, on a 14-count charge bordering on alleged stealing and mismanagement of N5.78 billion public funds.

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned them before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

Their re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin to another division, according to a statement by Dele Oyewole, Head, Media and Publicity of the anti-graft agency, on Monday.

The duo were first arraigned on a 12-count charge of mismanagement of public funds before Justice Anyadike on April 29, 2024, to which they pleaded not guilty. However, the presiding judge was transferred in the course of trial. Hence, the case has to start afresh.

While the name of the ex-governor featured in all the 14 counts, Banu’s name did not appear in count seven where only Ahmed was accused of failure to fill assets declaration form offered him by officers of the EFCC upon arrest contrary to Section 27(3)(c) of the EFCC Act No. 1 of 2004.

Former governor Abdulfatah among sundry issues allegedly spent an aggregate sum of N1,610,730,500.00, meant for the security and administration of the state to charter private jets through Travel Messengers Limited, contrary to Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

The erstwhile governor and his finance commissioner were accused of conspiring to steal money meant to pay salaries of teachers working with the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board and also to provide security and other infrastructural facilities for the people of the state, among others.

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Count one of the charge read, “That you, ABDULFATAH AHMED (while being the Governor of Kwara State) and ADEMOLA BANU (while being the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State), on or about 14 January, 2015 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, did illegally spend the sum of N1,000,000,000.00, to pay salaries of civil servants in Kwara State which sum was originally domiciled in the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) matching grant account and which sum formed part of the funds allocated for the execution of the projects stated in the action plan for the year 2013 and approved by the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.”

Count four read, “That you, ABDULFATAH AHMED (while being the Governor of Kwara State) and ADEMOLA BANU (while being the Commissioner of Finance of Kwara State), between 25th July, 2016 and 7th September, 2016 in llorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, in such capacity having dominion over certain property, to wit; the sum of N990,545,883.64 committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum, when you dishonestly transferred the said sum from the Kwara SUBEB matching grant account into Polaris Bank for the repayment of loan facilities granted to the Kwara State Government by the said bank contrary to the direction of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act, 2004, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Criminal Code and punishable under the same section.”

When the case was called on Monday, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, told the court, “My Lord, we have a 14-count charge dated 15th day of October 2024, and filed on same date. We urge your Lordship to accept the charge and allow it to be read to the defendants.”

Responding, the lead counsel to the defendants, Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN and Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, did not object to the application.

Justice Abdulgafar therefore granted the application and ordered that the charge be read to the defendants.

The duo pleaded not guilty.

Thereafter, the defence counsel sought the leave of the court to move oral applications for the bail of the defendants.

They told the court that the case had started since 2019 and the defendants were granted administrative bail by the Commission, which they had never jumped.

They urged the court to exercise its discretion and admit the defendants to bail as all the offences levelled against them are bailable.

Ruling on the applications, Justice Abdulgafar admitted Abdulfatah and Banu to bail in the sum of N100 million, with two sureties each. One of the sureties must be a Permanent Secretary, serving or retired.

The case was adjourned till December 4 – 5, 2024, for commencement of trial.

EFCC re-arraigns ex-Kwara Governor Ahmed over N5.78bn fraud

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Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

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20 minutes ago

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December 29, 2024

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Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has expressed support for the proposed implementation of Sharia law in the South-West, emphasizing its historical presence in Yoruba culture.

Oba Akanbi noted that Sharia principles have long been part of Yoruba land, citing examples such as Sharia banking and the existence of a Sharia college in Iwo, Osun State.

He stated, “Sharia law has been in Iwo for over 100 years… It’s the right of Muslims to choose customary law or the high court.”

Recall that the discussion around Sharia law gained traction after plans were announced for the inauguration of a Sharia council on January 11, 2025, at the Muslim Community Islamic Centre in Oyo. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely following widespread public criticism.

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Critics have argued that the Yoruba-dominated South-West, where Muslims and Christians coexist, is distinct from the predominantly Muslim northern region where Sharia is more widely practiced.

Addressing concerns, Oba Akanbi explained that Sharia law is already embedded in Nigeria’s constitution and should not cause alarm for non-Muslims.

“Sharia law is only for Muslims and does not concern others. If any other person likes it, they can convert to Islam, and Muslims can also convert to Christianity. Everyone is free,” he said.

The monarch also drew attention to the challenges faced by Muslims under existing laws, particularly in matters such as inheritance and divorce, where Western legal frameworks may not align with Islamic traditions. “Many Muslims feel disenfranchised… Western education doesn’t understand the ways of Muslim divorce, marriage, and inheritance,” he added.

Oba Akanbi emphasized that Sharia law represents the inalienable rights of Muslims and should not be viewed as a threat to other religions. “No government can deny Muslims their inalienable rights,” he concluded.

Oluwo backs push for Sharia law in South-West

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Niger: DSS officers kill three notorious bandits, recover arms, motorbikes

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27 minutes ago

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December 29, 2024

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DSS Operatives

Niger: DSS officers kill three notorious bandits, recover arms, motorbikes

At least three notorious bandits were on Friday night “neutralized in Dogon Dawa, Mairiga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, following a well-coordinated ambush by officers of the Department of State Service (DSS)”.

During the attack, several other bandits, according to sources fled into the bushes with bullet wounds, while the DSS operatives recovered three AK-47 rifles and three motorcycles from the fleeing bandits.

Security sources told Sunday Vanguard that Friday’s ambush by the DSS was the result of weeks of intelligence gathering and the interception and analysis of communication amongst the bandits by the DSS.

“The operation was one of the several daring operations carried out by the DSS in the Northwest and Northeast, leading to the neutralizing or capture of several bandits terrorizing innocents in the zones. The DSS have also led several successful operations against the outlawed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-East”, one of the sources said.

The intelligence gathered by the DSS have greatly assisted the military and other security agencies in neutralizing or capturing several terrorists in many parts of the country.

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“The DSS have, since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Mr. Tosin Ajayi Director-General, ramped up intelligence gathering, and have been generous with sharing such intelligence with the military and other security agencies.

“The ramping up of such intelligence by the DSS, and the sharing of such with the military and other sister security agencies have greatly helped in reducing the number of ambushes on military and other security personnel. It also led to the decimation of IPOB elements in the South-East”.

Corroborating the story, a military officer who chose to remain anonymous, said: “The successes recorded by the DSS and the assistance they have lent us are enonymous, especially since President Tinubu appointed a very capable man to head the DSS.

“I guess most of the successes recorded by the DSS are not being reported in the media because I guess the new DSS DG is sticking to his promise to revert to the covertness which was the hallmark of the DSS in its early years. But I can tell you that the DSS has really been greatly assisting us in the military.”

As part of his security reforms, President Tinubu had, last month promised to support the DSS in using artificial intelligence combat insecurity in Nigeria.

The President made the promise at at the investiture ceremony of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 17 graduates, in Abuja.

 

Niger: DSS officers kill three notorious bandits, recover arms, motorbikes

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Shettima admits killing of civilians in Sokoto airstrikes, tenders apology

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December 29, 2024

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Vice-President Kashim Shettima

Shettima admits killing of civilians in Sokoto airstrikes, tenders apology

Vice President Kashim Shettima has extended his condolences to the government and people of Sokoto State over the killing of about 10 civilians in airstrike targeted at the Lakurawa terrorist group at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area.

The villagers lost their lives on December 25, 2024, when the military targeted a logistics base of the Lakurawa insurgent group in the Silame area of Sokoto State, leaving others injured.

The Nigerian Air Force spokesperson, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, had insisted that the airstrike was carried out based on credible intelligence from multiple sources and confirmatory aerial surveillance.

He however said reports of civilian casualties would be thoroughly investigated.

Meanwhile, the Vice President in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, his spokesman, extended his sympathy to families of those mistakenly hit by the military onslaught on the terrorist group, noting that it was one of those rare sad moments when innocent civilians were caught in crossfire in the ongoing efforts to rid the country of all forms of terror.

He said, “I would like to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the Government and people of Sokoto State, particularly families of those who lost their lives in the coordinated joint operation by the air and land components of Operation Fansan Yamma to eliminate Lakurawa terrorist groups at Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa communities in Silame Local Government Area.

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“I must say we are sorry and dismayed at the civilian casualties incurred and the excruciating pain that ensues in these extremely difficult times. I call for understanding, especially when it is considered that our gallant men of the Armed Forces were fighting and paying the supreme price to protect the lives of those caught in the crossfire.

“My thoughts and prayers particularly go out to the relatives of those who perished in the tragic event. May Almighty God ease your pain and grant you the courage and patience to bear the loss.”

Senator Shettima on behalf of the military expressed regret over the incident, just as he solicited more support for the troops, noting that with useful information, the officers would maintain accuracy and precision in fishing out the terrorists from among innocent villagers they are staking their lives to protect.

He said, “On behalf of our gallant officers, I apologise for this great loss. I urge you to continue to give our brave officers the assistance they need in carrying out their operations to ensure a safer country for all of us.

“Let me assure you that the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is hell-bent on weeding out what is left of terror elements in the country and will stop at nothing in ensuring a peaceful Nigeria where farmers work freely in their farms and all Nigerians go about their businesses and other activities without fear of attacks from agents of death.”

Meanwhile, Vice President Shettima on Saturday led a delegation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on a condolence visit to the government and people of Jigawa State on the passing of the mother and son of the state governor, Alhaji Umar Namadi.

Within 24 hours after the passing of his mother, Hajiya Mariam Namadi, on December 25, the governor lost his eldest son, Abdulwahab Namadi.

Senator Shettima was accompanied on the visit to Hadejia, Jigawa State, by Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia; some members of the National Assembly from Jigawa State and top government functionaries.

Speaking during the condolence visit, the VP noted that “death is an inevitable destiny that is hanging on everyone’s neck.”

“We are all from Allah, and at the train station with our baggage waiting for the train. From where? From Allah, to where, to Allah. Our bags and baggage are our deeds in this world,” he added.

Shettima admits killing of civilians in Sokoto airstrikes, tenders apology

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