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
Gunmen abduct village head in Bauchi community
By: Zagazola Makama
A 56-year-old village head, Abdullah Ibrahim, has been abducted by unknown gunmen in Kanaka hamlet, Ganjuwa Local Government Area in Bauchi, sources confirmed to Zagazola Makama.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at about 1:15 a.m. when the assailants stormed the remote hamlet and abducted the community leader, taking him to an unknown destination.
Security forces and local hunters were deployed to the area on a rescue mission.
Efforts are being intensified to rescue the victim unharmed and to apprehend those behind the abduction. The case is currently under police investigation.
Gunmen abduct village head in Bauchi community
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Chibok, two killed, two injured by stray bullets
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Monday repelled a daring assault by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Shikarkir Village in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the insurgents, who stormed the village at about 5:20 p.m., were met with swift resistance from troops, assisted by local vigilantes and hunters. Security forces engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to retreat after sustaining unspecified casualties.
However, during the exchange of fire, four civilians were struck by stray bullets. Two of the victims, identified as Ishaku Markson, 30, and Buba Zakariya, 28, sustained fatal injuries and were later confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Chibok.
Two others Yama Wadai, 41, and Maina Fali were wounded and are currently receiving treatment at the same facility. Medical personnel confirmed both are responding well to treatment.
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Chibok, two killed, two injured by stray bullets
Sokoto police arrest notorious bandit, recover AK-47 rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Sokoto have arrested a suspected notorious bandit, leading to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrest was made on June 23 at about 6:30 a.m. following actionable intelligence.
The suspect, identified as Rabi’u Antoro, was taken into custody and during interrogation confessed to being in possession of a firearm.
Following the confession, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, on June 24, recovered one AK-47 rifle.
Sokoto police arrest notorious bandit, recover AK-47 rifle
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