Crime
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
By Michael Mike
The Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, who has been on the run months after the Court of Appeal Lagos Division convicted and sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment for money laundering, is finally in prison custody. The lawmaker who was intercepted by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at a Hospital in Lagos on Monday, February 6, was finally remanded in Ikoyi Custodial Centre today, February 8, 2023, to commence his prison term.
The Court of Appeal had in a judgement it delivered on July 1, 2022, sentenced him to prison after it convicted him on a two-count charge of money laundering and also ordered the winding up of his two companies, Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, in line with the provision of Section 22 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2021, and their properties forfeited to the Federal Government.
But the lawmaker who was not present in court at the time of the ruling, went underground and refused to present himself to the Nigerian Correctional Service. Instead, he proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to not only set it aside the judgment of the appeal court but grant him bail, pending the determination of his appeal.
But in a unanimous decision on January 27, 2023, the apex court dismissed the application. In the lead judgement by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court wondered why Nwaoboshi, who refused to submit himself to the law, would seek the indulgence of the law.
Justice Tijani Abubakar, in his contribution, upbraided the Appellant for filing the bail application while on the run.
“We must make it very, very clear to all Nigerians that nobody is above the law. The government and the governed are subject to the rule of law. And, we must ensure that there is respect for the rule of law”.
The Court of Appeal judgement that convicted Nwaoboshi followed an appeal by the EFCC against the judgment of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court in Lagos, which had on June 18, 2021, discharged and acquitted the lawmaker and his companies.
Nwaoboshi and his companies illegally acquired a property named Guinea House, Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million. Part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd. The funds are believed to be proceeds of illicit activities of the convict.
One of the counts reads: ” That you, Peter Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Projects Limited, between May and June, 2014, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did acquire a property described as Guinea House, Marina Road, Apapa, Lagos, for the sum of N805million, when you reasonably ought to have known that the sum of N322 million out of the purchase price transferred to the vendors by order of Suinming Electricals Limited formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of fraud and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011(as amended) and punishable under Section (15)(3) of the same Act.
N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison
Police Launch Manhunt After Officer Attacked, Robbed in Ogun
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has launched a manhunt for suspected hoodlums who attacked and robbed a police officer along the Dangote–Eggua Express Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources said the incident was reported at the Igbogila Division by ASP Abimiku Ewuga Wahala, a Patrol and Guard officer attached to the Area Command, Ayetoro.
According to sources, the officer was travelling from Ayetoro to Igbogila on June 14 when he was ambushed by four armed hoodlums between Olu-Omo Petrol Station and Iya Shadia Junction.
The attackers, armed with sticks and cutlasses, allegedly assaulted the officer and left him unconscious before fleeing with his belongings.
Items stolen during the attack included a Boxer motorcycle with registration number OGUN AKM 658 UV, which the officer had borrowed from a friend, his police uniforms and accoutrements, a Tecno T303 mobile phone and a Tecno Pop 7 Android phone.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of detectives to the scene as part of efforts to track down the suspects.
Police authorities said investigations were ongoing and efforts had been intensified to arrest the perpetrators and recover the stolen items.
The command urged members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies in apprehending those responsible for the attack.
Police Launch Manhunt After Officer Attacked, Robbed in Ogun
Fulani bandits Kill 18 in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed Fulani bandits have reportedly killed 18 persons in a fresh attack on Kawel and Kopkon communities in Mushere District of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources said that the troops of Sector 5 under Operation Enduring Peace responded to the coordinated attack at about 1:20 a.m. on June 20.
According to sources, the assailants invaded Kawel and Kopkon villages, shooting sporadically before fleeing the scene prior to the arrival of security forces.
Upon arrival, troops discovered 12 bodies in Kawel village and six bodies in Kopkon village, bringing the total number of fatalities to 18.
The attackers had reportedly escaped before troops could make contact.
The sources stated that troops immediately launched offensive operations in the general area aimed at tracking and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
Plateau State has continued to witnessed a series of violent incidents across some local government areas, including Bokkos and Riyom, where farmers and herders clashes continued to escalate resulting in multiple fatalities, despite response by the security agencies.
Operation Enduring has intensified patrols and security deployments in parts of Plateau State following recurring attacks in some rural communities.
Fulani bandits Kill 18 in Fresh Attack on Plateau Communities
Again, Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Spy in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of spying for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and plotting attacks against military formations in Borno State.
Security sources disclosed that the suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammed, was apprehended by troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint on June 19 following credible intelligence.
According to reliable information obtained on Sunday, the suspect was allegedly involved in intelligence gathering and collaboration with ISWAP terrorists.
Sources indicated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was linked to plans by terrorists to attack troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kekeno.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint arrested one Mustapha Mohammed, aged 26 years, suspected to be an ISWAP terrorist spy.
“The suspect was arrested for allegedly collaborating with terrorists on possible plans to attack troops deployed at FOB Kekeno,” the report stated.
Military authorities said the suspect is currently in the custody of 19 Brigade for further interrogation and intelligence exploitation.
Again, Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Spy in Borno
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