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I didn’t keep records of bribe collected for Emefiele, witness tells court

Published

2 months ago

October 29, 2024

Godwin Emefiele

I didn’t keep records of bribe collected for Emefiele, witness tells court

A prosecution witness, Monday Osazuwa, yesterday, told a Lagos Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, that he did not keep any record of the money he allegedly collected as bribe on behalf of the former Central Bank of Nigeira, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is standing trial, along with one Henry Omoile, before the court for alleged abuse of office and money laundering.

Osazuwa, a dispatch rider, had previously told the court in his evidence-in-chief on April 12, 2024, that he collected over $3 million of bribe money in different tranches on behalf of Emefiele.

Responding to questions from Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, after the court granted a request that he be recalled for further re-examination, Osazuwa told the court, yesterday, that he didn’t have the records of the alleged bribe money, stating that he was instructed by Emefiele not to keep any evidence of such transactions.

Asked whether at any time during his statement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, he produced for the operatives any written instructions by Emefiele to him in the course of the unofficial assignment he ran for the first defendant, he answered that he wrote it in his statement.

Asked if he provided any documents to the EFCC showing where he recorded the monies he collected for Emefiele, he said: “There is no document produced. The instructions given to me by the first defendant was that I should not write anything down.”

The witness also said that he didn’t have a document by either the first or second defendants acknowledging the receipt of money from him.

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Asked if he knew the importance of keeping recordings of financial transactions, the witness said it was for record keeping and future reference, but that he did not keep any records.

“I did not produce any record, I obeyed the instructions based on the money I collected for him,” he said.

The defense counsel then applied that the witness be given the extrajudicial statements he made on February 13,15, 23,2024, before the EFCC, to refresh his memory.

After going through the statement Osazuwa said,” I did not state it in my statement, but he instructed me not to record it. He instructed me that whenever he was not around I should just go straight and give it to the second defendant.”

Asked how long he was detained in EFCC’s custody, he said he was detained for one week and thereafter admitted to bail.

Osazuwa told the court that there was no witness when he handed over the money to the first defendant (Emefiele).

On cross-examination by the second defense counsel Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN, asked the witness to clarify where he stated in his evidence that he and the second defendant counted the money in the envelope he collected for Emefiele. “It was Mr. Raja who counted the money,” he said.

Earlier the fifth prosecution witness a business relationship manager with Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs. Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, in the conclusion of her testimony, said she gave the statements of accounts of Comec, Limelight, and Amswin Resources Limited addressed to Mrs. Margaret Emefiele(Emefiele’s wife) to the regulators.

She also said that of all the documents made available to her as the representative of Zenith Bank, there is nothing in the document connecting Emefiele.

Ogbonnaya further also told the court that she had no dealings with the second defendant (Henry Isioma-Omoile).

At the conclusion of her testimony, Justice Rahman Oshodi adjourned the matter till tomorrow for continuation of trial.

I didn’t keep records of bribe collected for Emefiele, witness tells court

Related Topics:Bribe court Emefiele Featured

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Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

Published

12 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

Nigerian Military Troop

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of two soldiers and the theft of their weapons by operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB is a separatist group advocating for the creation of the Republic of Biafra, citing longstanding grievances over the marginalization of Nigeria’s South-East region since the Biafra-Nigeria civil war.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Nigerian Army explained that the incident occurred in Osina, Ideator North Local Government Area of Imo State, when troops from the 34 Artillery Brigade, returning from a routine patrol, responded to an emergency call about an attack on Osina Community by IPOB/ESN forces.

The statement revealed that upon arrival, the troops engaged the “terrorists” with overwhelming firepower, resulting in casualties among the attackers. However, the Army did not provide specific numbers, only noting that the “dissidents” eventually withdrew in disarray.

“Unfortunately, two security agents had been killed in action and one other missing in action, with their weapons—a AK-47 rifle and a tear gas launcher—being seized by the terrorists,” the statement said.

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The Army confirmed that the bodies of the fallen soldiers had been recovered, and the troops pursued the fleeing militants.

“Contact was again made with the criminal IPOB/ESN elements at Nkwachi Community, and in the firefight that ensued, one of the dissidents was neutralized while others, unable to withstand the troop’s firepower, retreated into the nearby forest. One AK-47 rifle with a fully loaded magazine was recovered, ” the statement said, adding that the troops continued their pursuit into Umalouma forest, where another intense exchange of fire took place.

“The dissidents eventually abandoned their weapons due to the troops’ superior firepower and scattered into the dense forest with severe gunshot wounds. An additional four AK-47 rifles, one Fabrique Nationale rifle, and two magazines were recovered,” the statement added.

The Army assured the public that operations would continue, with efforts to track down and eliminate the remaining criminals. “Further exploitation is ongoing as troops continue to track down the injured terrorists and flush them out of their hideouts and treatment locations,” the statement stated. “We urge all IPOB/ESN elements and other criminals hiding in the bushes to surrender to the nearest troops or face defeat, as the Brigade will ensure that the people of Imo celebrate the Yuletide season in peace, free from fear or intimidation.”

The Nigerian Army also called on the people of Imo State to continue providing timely intelligence to assist in the fight against criminal elements and help rid the state of lawlessness.

Suspected IPOB members kill two soldiers in Imo

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13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

Published

12 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

An accident scene File photo

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ondo State Sector Command, says no fewer than 13 people were burnt to death along Ikare-Akoko/ Owo Road on Saturday in the state.

Dr Samuel Ibitoye, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Akure.

“FRSC regrets to inform the public about a road traffic crash that occurred today 28 December, 2024 at Abule Panu before Ose Bridge, on Owo-Ikare highway, Ondo State.

“The fatal crash which occurred at about 10:14 AM claimed 13 lives of commuters in two buses.

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“A total of 14 people were involved, out of which 13 were burnt beyond recognition, while only one was rescued alive with serious injuries.

“Eyewitness account indicates that the bus coming from Ikare axis had a tyre burst which led to loss of control.

“This was resultant in a head-on collision with the bus loaded with fabric coming from Owo axis.

“Immediately after the collision, the two buses went up in flames. The men of FRSC, Police and Fire Service were swiftly at the crash scene for rescue,” he said.

The FRSC boss said that the injured victim was taken to Federal Medical Centre, Owo, while the deceased were deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.

He, therefore, advised drivers to exercise patience on the roads and passionately maintain their vehicles.

“Passengers are also encouraged to speak out against dangerous driving because road safety is a concern of all,” Ibitoye said.

13 passengers burnt to death in Ondo auto crash
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NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

Published

12 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Trends Admin

NDDC empowers Niger Delta young entrepreneurs with N30bn

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the people of the region through economic programmes.

He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes.

Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He said, “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives.

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“We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for N30 billion which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest.

“The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing.
Ogbuku remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes.

“The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data.

“Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.”