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
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
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group allegedly involved in transporting logistics items for insurgents in Borno.
A military source disclosed on Sunday that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Muhammad and Saidu Abdulazeez, were apprehended by troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion at a checkpoint along the Mandaragirau–Sabon Gari road in Borno State.
The source said the arrest was made at about 3:00 p.m. on June 20 during a routine checkpoint operation aimed at disrupting terrorist movements and supply networks within the North-East theatre.
According to the source, the suspects were intercepted while conveying items suspected to be intended for terrorist elements operating in the area.
Items recovered from them included a red Golf vehicle, 15 yards of clothing materials, a public address system, a school bag, a vacuum flask, a Tecno mobile phone, an Android phone, an OPay debit card and related transaction receipts.
“The suspects were arrested while transporting items suspected to be logistics supplies for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. The recovered items and the suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation,” the source said.
The source added that the suspects and exhibits had been moved to Abogo Largema Cantonment, where security operatives were conducting further interrogation to determine possible links to terrorist networks and identify other collaborators.
Military authorities believe the arrest could provide useful intelligence on the movement of supplies, finances and personnel supporting insurgent activities in the North-East.
The source noted that the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, adding that troops continued to maintain a high level of vigilance in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
Troops Arrest Two Kidnappers in Borno, Recover AK-47 Rifle
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with members of the Hybrid Force, have arrested two suspected kidnappers during an intelligence-led operation in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to sources, the suspects were apprehended at about 6:00 p.m. on June 21 following credible intelligence on the activities of a kidnapping syndicate operating within the area.
The sources stated that troops of the 5 Brigade provided route security and close support to the Hybrid Force during the operation, which led to the successful tracking and arrest of the suspects.
Military authorities said one AK-47 rifle and a magazine were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
“The suspects and the recovered arms have been forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and necessary action,” the report stated.
Operation Hadin Kai has sustained offensive and intelligence-driven operations aimed at degrading the capabilities of terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the region.
Troops Arrest Two Kidnappers in Borno, Recover AK-47 Rifle
Again, Troops Arrest Suspected ISWAP Spy in Borno
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers in Borno
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