Ex-NSITF chairman, Ngozi Olejeme, arraigned over N1.4bn, $48m fraud – Newstrends
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Ex-NSITF chairman, Ngozi Olejeme, arraigned over N1.4bn, $48m fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC on Thursday arraigned a former Board Chairman of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on a nine-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and money laundering.

EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the defendant was arraigned before Maryam Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja.

She faces nine counts including abuse of office and using position to obtain over N1.4 billion and $48,485,127.

The EFCC said her offences contravened the provisions of sections 8, 9 (1) (b) (1), punishable under the Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offence Act 2000 and sections 17, (1) (2), 39 of EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under the same section.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to her. The EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Steve Odiase, then asked for a trial date.

The defence counsel, Paul Erokoro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on behalf of his client on October 18.

He urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition or in the alternative, “in the most liberal terms.”

He informed the court that his client was not a flight risk as she voluntarily returned to Nigeria when she heard that the EFCC wanted to question her.

Erokoro further said the bail application was predicated on medical grounds as the defendant had been diabetic and hypertensive for 30 years.

He added that she had had four major surgeries in the U.S. and South Africa.

Erokoro also said the defendant’s recent medical report from Federal Medical Centre Jabi, Abuja, advised that she required close medical monitoring as her medical status could lead to a medical emergency.

 

 

 

The prosecuting counsel did not oppose the bail application, but urged the court to refuse the grant of bail on self-recognition as suggested by the defence counsel.

The judge adjourned till Friday, October 21, for ruling on the bail application and remanded the defendant in the custody of the EFCC.

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It’s illegal to declare suspects wanted, Falana tackles DHQ

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It’s illegal to declare suspects wanted, Falana tackles DHQ

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has faulted the declaration of eight persons wanted by the Defence Headquarters over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community of Delta State.

He said it was illegal to do so without obtaining a court order.

He stated this in a statement released on Thursday and warned the military against bungling the case of the slain soldiers.

Falana said, “The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.”

“We have also read the eight people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters. It is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order,” he stated.

He cited the rulings of judges in a number of cases including Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to buttress his point.

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Third Mainland Bridge will be reopened in seven days – Minister

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Third Mainland Bridge will be reopened in seven days – Minister

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi,
says the Third Mainland Bridge will be reopened in seven days time.
He announced this on Thursday during an inspection of the bridge along with members of the Senate Committee on Works.
“In seven days Nigerians will be able to ply this road,” he said.
Umahi also said the Federal Government planned to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) on the bridge and under it to reduce illegal sand mining around the area.
Currently, he said the lane marking was being done, adding, “When the lane marking is over, we will open the bridge but formally it will be commissioned by Mr. President when he is going to flag off the coastal road.”

The Federal Government on January 9, this year closed the 11.8km bridge in Lagos for a three-month comprehensive rehabilitation.

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Fresh grid collapse plunges Nigeria into nationwide blackout

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Fresh grid collapse plunges Nigeria into nationwide blackout

The electricity grid collapsed on Thursday, plunging the country into blackout, the second time in three months in 2024.

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) showed the grid collapsed at about 4pm on Thursday, dropping from 2,984 megawatts (MW) to zero within an hour.

All the 21 plants connected to the grid stopped operations by 5pm.

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), in a statement on Thursday, said the current power outage was due to a system failure from the national grid.

“The system collapsed at about 16:28 hours today 28 March 2024, causing the outage currently being experienced across our franchise area,” AEDC said.

“We appeal for your understanding as all stakeholders are working hard to restore normal supply.”

In a notice to its customers, the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) said the system collapse resulted in a loss of power supply across its network.

“We are currently working with our partners as we hope for speedy restoration of the grid. We will keep you updated as soon as the power supply is restored. Kindly bear with us,” EKEDC said.

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