Crime
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 21, 2022 re-arraigned a former governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero before Justice R.M Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on an eight count amended charges bordering on money laundering. The re-arraignment is sequel to the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice M.G Umar, from the State.
Yero is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Nuhu Somo Wya (a former minister), Ishaq Hamsa (a former Secretary to Kaduna State Government) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state) for their alleged involvement in the receipt and disbursement of the sum 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.
At today’s sitting, the prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, told the Court that the case was for re-arraignment of the defendants and urged the court to ask them to take their pleas.
The charges were read to the defendants and they all pleaded ‘not guilty’.
One of the amended counts reads: “That you, Muktar Ramalan Yero (while being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna ( whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: indirectly taking possession of the sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira) which you ought to have known forms part of unlawful activity to wit; bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Another count reads: “That you Mukhtar Ramalan Yero ( whilst being the Executive Governor of Kaduna state), Nuhu Somo Wya (whilst being a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria), Ishaq Hamza (whilst being the secretary to the Kaduna state government), and Abubakar Gaiya Haruna (whilst being the chairman people’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kaduna State Chapter, sometimes in 2015 in Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court (Federal High Court) did indirectly take possession of the aggregate sum of N700,000,000.00 ( Seven Hundred Million Naira),which you reasonably ought to have known forms parts of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: bribery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011( as amended) in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act”.
Following their pleas, the defence counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman urged the court to extend to the defendants, the terms of the bail earlier granted them by the former judge.
The prosecution counsel, Nasiru Salele, appearing with M.E Eimonye and P.C Onyeneho, did not object to the application.
Justice Umar granted bail to the defendants on the same terms earlier offered them by the court.
The case was adjourned till 16th, 17th and 18th January, 2023, for trial.
N700 Million Diezani Cash: EFCC re-arraigns Yero, others
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
By: Zagazola Makama
Another group of repentant bandits has released three women in Katsina State as part of the ongoing peace process in the state.
The women, whose names were not immediately disclosed, were said to have been held by a notorious bandit leader, Kacalla Zailani, who controls the Maigora axis.
Community sources told Zagazola on Wednesday that Zailani freed the captives voluntarily without collecting ransom.
“He handed over the women to the mediators as a gesture of goodwill to consolidate the peace deal,” one of the sources said.
Another Bandits group release three women in Katsina in peace deal promises
Troops kill three Boko Haram terrorists in Borno Ambush
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI have killed three Boko Haram terrorists during an ambush in Borno State.
Zagazola gathered that the encounter occurred on Monday evening at Umbo Gen area, during Operation Desert Sanity IV.
According to the sources, troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and hunters engaged the insurgents with heavy fire, forcing them to flee in disarray.
“Three terrorists were neutralised in the operation. Troops also recovered one AK-47 rifle and an Itel mobile phone,” the source said.
The sources added that no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops, and general security within the area remains calm but unpredictable.
Troops kill three Boko Haram terrorists in Borno Ambush
Troops of operation HADIN KAI foil Boko Haram kidnap attempt in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with Police and local Joint Task Force operatives, have foiled an attempt by suspected Boko Haram terrorists to kidnap villagers in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred at about 12:45 a.m. on Sunday when about 15 terrorists stormed Kombla in Krichinga District of Madagali.
The terrorists were said to have attempted to abduct some villagers, but were swiftly repelled after troops engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
“The swift response of the troops and supporting security elements forced the terrorists to retreat into surrounding bush paths,” the source said.
The sources added that pursuit operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing terrorists.
Normalcy has since returned to the area, while security presence has been strengthened to forestall further attacks.
Troops of operation HADIN KAI foil Boko Haram kidnap attempt in Adamawa
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