metro
Money laundering: Okupe pays N13m, escapes two-year jail
Dr Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was on Monday found guilty of receiving over N200m cash from a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd).
He was therefore sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court in Abuja with an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the 26 count charges for which he was found guilty.
Delivering her judgment, Justice Ojukwu held that Okupe, who is the first defendant in the suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission violated the Money Laundering Act.
She said he had up to 4.30 pm to pay the fine option totalling N13m on all the charges he was found guilty of or be sent to the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Justice Ojukwu, in sentencing Okupe, considered the pleadings for leniency from the convict’s wife, Omolola, and his son, Adesunkanmi.
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While stating that the Money Laundering Act provided that no individual or organisation shall receive any sum above N5m and N10m respectively without passing through a financial institution, the judge held that, “there is no evidence that the money passed through a financial institution” and that Okupe was not a financial institution, and that, even if the president was said to have authorised the funds, he did not say that the money must be paid in cash.
Consequently, the court found Okupe guilty in counts 34, 35, 36 to 59 and sets him free from counts 1 to 33 because the prosecution failed to establish the charge of money laundering and criminal breach of trust and corruption against the NSA.
In counts 34 to 59 upon which Okupe was convicted, he was accused of receiving various sums of money ranging from N10m on different occasions from 2012 to 2015 when he was Jonathan’s aide.
The said sum, he said, was spent on running his office, payment of staff members and image laundering of the former President and his administration. But, the court, however, held that receiving such amounts in cash violated the Money Laundering Act.
Shortly after his conviction, Okupe’s counsel, Francis Oronsaye, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy because the defendant was a first-time offender, a family man who is also advanced in age and having health challenges that he is currently treating in Nigeria and outside the country.
Fine paid
The PUNCH however gathered that Okupe succeeded in paying his fine before the deadline and was allowed to go.
A source said, “Okupe has paid; they returned with the bank papers around 4.25pm. The court processed it, and everybody signed, including the EFCC lawyer.”
Shortly after his release, Okupe tweeted, “God is not man. The enemies have tried in so many ways but kept on failing. Victory is of God.”
Punch
metro
Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos
Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL Tank Farm at Kayode Street, Marine Beach, in the Apapa area of Lagos was on Friday was gutted by fire.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Tunde Are, the raging fire starter at about 11:00 am.
He said people ran helter-skelter to contain the fire before a rescue team arrived.
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The rescue team, led by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, were still battling to put off the raging fire as of the time of filing this report.
The inferno, it was gathered, resulted from a spillage of petroleum products within the perimeter of the terminal
Confirming the incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said concerted effort with various emergency responders within the oil and gas industry was on to contain the situation.
Fire guts new NNPCL tank farm in Lagos
metro
BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery
BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery
The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, founder of MedContour Services Ltd., for her role in a botched plastic surgery resulting in the death of Nneka Onwuzuligbo in 2020, FIJ has reported.
Former Director-General of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Babatunde Irukera, announced the conviction via Twitter, expressing pride in prosecuting the case.
He emphasized the importance of accountability and the justice system’s role in societal growth.
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In his tweet, Irukera, tweeting as #TundeIrukera, wrote, “Today is a day of pride for me that I personally prosecuted Anu Adepoju and her medical practice. Though I’ve left, the case has ended in a conviction strengthening the accountability framework for all in society, professionals or otherwise. This is how society should work and grow.
“Dr. Anu Adepoju and her medical practice convicted in all 5 counts charged by FCCPC. The wheel of justice may grind slowly, but we must see it through. What we need are enforced with audacity and the will to prosecute competently and diligently. Good day for consumers of professional services.”
BREAKING: Cosmetic surgeon convicted over failed plastic surgery
metro
Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba
Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba
Troops of 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) of the Nigerian Army have arrested two alleged kidnappers identified as Nali Umaru and Abubakar Umaru in Pamanga village of Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The two suspects arrested said to be involved in incidents of kidnappings in the area were arrested on 16 May 2024 by troops from the 20 Model Battalion Sub-Sector 3A OPWS during a patrol to Pamanga Village.
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According to a statement by the Nigerian Army, Nali Umaru (26) from Jauromani and Abubakar Umaru (25) from Jauro Damji, both of Sunkani Local Government Area of Taraba State, confessed to being part of a notorious kidnapping gang operating in the general area.
The statement indicated that two locally made pistols, 60 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and two cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
“The arrest of these two suspected kidnappers underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army in eradicating all forms of criminal activities and instilling confidence in the residents in the state. The public is therefore encouraged to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information on any suspicious activities in their communities,” the statement indicated.
Two notorious kidnappers arrested in Taraba
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