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
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected gunrunner and intercepted 200 rounds of ammunition in Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A security source disclosed that the suspect was apprehended at about 3:15 a.m. on March 29 during a joint intelligence-led operation involving troops of 2 Battalion and a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The source said the operation followed credible intelligence on the movement of the suspect, who was reportedly en route to Kaduna from Jos through Dambo community in Zaria.
“Troops swiftly established a snap checkpoint at Dambo, where the suspect was intercepted in possession of 200 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition,” the source said.
He added that the suspect has been handed over to ONSA for further investigation and necessary action.
The source noted that the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition, as well as disrupt criminal networks operating across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Troops arrest suspected gunrunner, intercept 200 rounds of ammunition in kaduna
Troops intercept vehicle conveying suspected terrorist logistics in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a vehicle conveying suspected logistics supplies meant for Boko Haram terrorists along Maiduguri–Mafa road in Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the vehicle, with registration number GZA 359 XA, was intercepted during a stop-and-check operation conducted by troops of 195 Battalion (Mechanised) at a checkpoint.
According to the source, the interception followed a thorough search of the vehicle, which revealed several cartons of assorted medical drugs, motorcycle tubes, and brand-new motorcycle tyres concealed in sacks.
Other items recovered include mosquito nets, rolls of mats, cartons of air brake cylinders for heavy-duty trucks, and cartons of detergent.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the items lacked proper clearance and were being transported to Kusuri, a border town en route to Chad.
“All efforts to trace the owners of the items proved abortive,” the source said.
He added that the vehicle, recovered items, and the civilian drivers would be handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops intercept vehicle conveying suspected terrorist logistics in Borno
Troops arrest another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in maiduguri
By: Zagazola Malama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Maiduguri, Borno State.
A military source disclosed that the suspect, identified as Mohammed Adamu, 26, was apprehended at Muna Garage during an intelligence-led operation.
According to the source, the suspect was intercepted while conveying 25 one-litre containers of engine oil concealed in sacks, along with a sum of N624,900.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was on a mission to procure and supply logistics items, including motorcycle parts, to Boko Haram terrorists before his arrest.
“The suspect confessed to being involved in the supply of logistics to different террорист elements for a long period,” the source said.
Items recovered from him include 25 one-litre containers of engine oil, the cash sum of N624,900, one Infinix mobile phone, a power bank, a national identity card and three ATM cards.
The source added that the suspect would be handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action.
Troops arrest another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in maiduguri
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