EFCC re-arraigns Kaduna State former governor for money laundering  – Newstrends
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EFCC re-arraigns Kaduna State former governor for money laundering 

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Mukhtar Ramalan Yero

Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, a former governor of Kaduna State, has been re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on eight amended counts related to money laundering and criminal conspiracy in a Federal High Court sitting in the state capital.

For their alleged roles in the receipt and distribution of N700 million paid to them by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election, Yero is being prosecuted alongside a former Minister of Power, Nuhu Wya, a former Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Ishaq Hamsa, and a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, Abubakar

On Monday, they were re-arraigned in front of Justice R. M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Kaduna, who took over the case from the previous trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, who was transferred to another court.

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The prosecution’s attorney, Nasiru Salele, informed the court during the resumption of the hearing that the defendants would need to be re-arraigned and urged the court to request that they enter pleas.

After hearing the accusations, the defendants all entered “not guilty” pleas.

According to the amended charges against the defendants, they  committed an offense in 2015 that violated Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and was punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act when they “indirectly took possession of the sum of N700,000,000, which they ought to have known forms part of unlawful activity to wit: bribery.”

The defendants’ attorney, Yunus Ustaz, sought the court to extend to the defendants the terms of the bail that had previously been granted to them by the previous judge after the defendants entered their pleas.

Nasiru Salele, the attorney for the prosecution, did not raise any objections to the application.

As a result, Justice Umar approved the defendants’ requests for bail under the same conditions that the court had previously provided.

Trial dates for the case were set for January 16, 17, and 18.

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119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

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119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

No fewer than 119 inmates yesterday escaped from the the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, following the heavy downpour that destroyed the facility.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, Adamu Duza, at least 10 of the escapees have been recaptured and taken into custody following the the immediate activation of recapturing mechanism in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on yesterday night has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and eighteen (119) inmates of the facility.

“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.”

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Dazu said that the heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc on the custodial facility which was constructed during the colonial era, lasted over several hours, forcing it to give way for the inmates to escape.

“The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era, and that they are old and weak.

“The Service is making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.

“The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.” The statement reads in parts

119 inmates escape Suleja prison after stormy rain

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No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

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FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

The FCT police command has said the video clip circulating online depicting a robbery incident, which purportedly occurred in Abuja, involving a “Right Hand Drive” vehicle, “did not take place within the territory”.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said that upon analysis of the viral video, it was evidently clear that the robbery incident did not even occur in Nigeria.

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According to her, the conclusion was drawn from the vehicle registration number plate design and the steering position of the vehicle, which is Right Hand Drive, RHD.

“It is important to note that Nigeria does not allow RHD vehicles on its roads, neither are the roads fashioned to accommodate such cars as seen in the video.

“The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, psc, mni, urges those circulating the video to desist from such actions as it may cause apprehension and unwarranted panic among the populace”, the statement added.

No robbery incident in Abuja, police reacting to viral video

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Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others

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Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others

Sokoto State Government has sacked nine district heads for allegedly aiding insecurity and encouraging land racketeering.

The state government also sacked another six district heads said to have been irregularly appointed by the immediate past government of the state.

Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, announced this while briefing newsmen on the development on Tuesday.

Those axed over alleged insecurity are the district heads of Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, llela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu and Giyawa.

Bawa said the six district heads were dropped because of the way they were haphazardly appointed and their rejection by their people.

The affected six district heads are Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.

“The cases involving District Heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been re commended for further investigations,” Bawa added.

However, Sarkin Yakin Binji, senior counselor in the Suktanate Council, was transferred to Nabunkari while the District Head of Sabon Birni was deployed to Gatawa.

Bawa said this followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Review of the appointments of Traditional rulers, Renaming of Tertiary Institutions and the Dissolution of Governing Boards of State Parastatals.

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