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Kano businessman arraigned for N4.1m maize fraud

Published

2 years ago

July 6, 2023

Kabiru Mohammed Shanono

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, arraigned one Kabiru Mohammed Shanono before Justice Aisha Mahmud of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge of criminal misappropriation.

The defendant allegedly collected two trucks of Maize worth N18,537.390 (Eighteen Million Five Hundred and Thirty-seven Naira, Three Hundred and Ninety Kobo.) from the petitioner on the understanding that he would make full payment upon sale of the items. He reneged on the agreement by remitting only N13,400,000 and diverting the sum of N5,137,930 (Five Million, One Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira Only) to personal use. The defendant however paid a further N1,000,000 (One Million Naira Only) to the complainant in the course of the investigation, leaving a balance of Four Million, One Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Naira (N4,137,390.00).

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The charge reads, “You Kabiru Mohammed Shanon, whilst trading under the name and style of “Kabiru Shanono Ent”, sometime in 2021, at Kano within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kano State knowingly and dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Four Million, One Hundred and Thirty Seven Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Naira (N4,137,390.00), being the outstanding amount of the purchase price of two trucks of Maize, which you sold on behalf of Alhaji Shuaibu Alhassan to Infinity Snacks and Beverages Limited, proceeds of which you were supposed to remit fully to Alhaji Shuaibu Alhassan but instead, converted same to your own use, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 and punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code Law of Kano State.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of the plea of the defendant, counsel for the prosecution, Clinton Wilson Okereke asked for a date for the commencement of trial. However, counsel representing the defendant, GY Gambo applied for the bail of his client which was opposed by the prosecution counsel on the grounds that the application was only served on him in the morning of arraignment, adding that he needed time to respond with a counter affidavit. Consequently, Justice Mahmud adjourned the matter till July 17, 2023 for hearing of bail application.

The defendant was remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

metro

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday got a memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is a notification to her of the receipt of petition from voters in her Constituency demanding her recall.

The same notification was sent by the electoral agency to the leadership of the Senate.

The Commission also unfolded plans to scrutinise the signatures of the petitioners to ascertain their authenticity.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed in a statement that the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of the petitioners, which were initially not attached, had been submitted to the commission.

On Tuesday, the Commission had picked holes in the petition, pointing out that it failed to meet the standard because the addresses and phone numbers of the petitioners’ representatives were not provided as required by law.

Exuding confidence after INEC’s confirmation that that aspect of recall requirements had been met, the petitioners said the recall request was meant to correct what they described as the error of wrong choice.

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Olumekun said: “Further to the statement issued yesterday, Tuesday 25th March 2025, the Commission hereby confirms that the contact address of representatives of the petitioners, their telephone numbers and e-mail addresses have now been provided in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, dated today Wednesday 26th March 2025.

“As provided in Clause 2(a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024, a letter has been written to notify the Senator sought to be recalled about the receipt of the petition and delivered to her official address.

“The same letter has been copied to the presiding officer of the Senate and published on the Commission’s website.

“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the Constituency.

“This will be done in the coming days. The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent.”

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, is serving a six-month suspension for misconduct and abuse of the Senate rules after her seat was changed.

She went ahead to make allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

On Wednesday, Zubairu Yakubu, who wrote the petition, accompanied by former Education Minister Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions sitting to defend the allegations.

However, the Committee threw out her petition, saying that the matter was already a subject of litigation.

During the meeting, Dr Ezekwesili and Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) clashed, exchanging hot words.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has been junketing between the United States and Europe, granting interview against Senate president.

INEC notifies Natasha, Senate of recall petition

metro

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Trends Admin

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr

The Federal Government has declared Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as public holidays in celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on behalf of the government.

He urged Muslims across the country to use the period for prayers, reflection, and acts of kindness, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and national development.

In a statement on Wednesday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the Ramadan fast, highlighting the significance of the holy month in fostering self-discipline, compassion, and spiritual renewal.

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Tunji-Ojo called on all Muslims to continue embodying the virtues of love, generosity, and peace, emphasising the need for national unity and religious harmony.

He also urged Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the country’s peace, stability, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, let us reflect on the lessons of Ramadan, embrace one another with love and forgiveness, and work together to build a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” the minister stated.

He further encouraged citizens to celebrate safely and responsibly, while extending acts of kindness to the less privileged, in line with the values of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, Tunji-Ojo wished all Muslim faithful a joyous Eid Mubarak and prayed that the blessings of the season bring happiness and fulfilment to everyone.