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
Suspected Berom Militia Shoot Eight Cattle in Attack on Herdsman in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Suspected Berom Militia have attacked a herder and his livestock in Nyerwie Village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, leaving eight cattle with gunshot wounds.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 6:25 p.m. on July 16, prompting troops of Sector 4, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), to swiftly mobilise to the scene following a distress report.
However, the assailants fled before the arrival of the troops, evading arrest.
Security sources said preliminary findings indicated that the attackers opened fire on the herd, inflicting gunshot wounds on eight cows. No human casualty was reported during the incident.
Troops have since intensified efforts to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects, while security has been reinforced in the area to prevent further escalation.
The military urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist in the arrest of those responsible for the attack.
Suspected Berom Militia Shoot Eight Cattle in Attack on Herdsman in Plateau
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Gombe, Recover Weapons, Cash
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 233 Tank Battalion have arrested three suspected cattle rustlers during a security operation in Mel Uku, Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 5:00 p.m. on July 16 following intelligence-led operations targeting criminal elements involved in cattle rustling in the area.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to having engaged in cattle rustling activities for more than two years.
Items recovered from the suspects include three mobile phones, three cutlasses, one bow with arrows, and the sum of ₦24,750 believed to be proceeds of their criminal activities.
The suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the cattle-rustling syndicate.
The arrest is part of ongoing operations by security forces to combat cattle rustling, banditry and other criminal activities across the North-East and adjoining states.
Troops Arrest Three Suspected Cattle Rustlers in Gombe, Recover Weapons, Cash
DSS, Security Operatives Rescue Two Abducted Children in Kwara, Kill Two Kidnappers
By Zagazola Makama
Two children who were abducted by kidnappers were rescued, following a coordinated operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.
The operation also resulted in the killing of two suspected kidnappers, while several others sustained fatal injuries and fled with gunshot wounds during the encounter.
Zagazola learnt that security forces are continuing clearance operations to track down the remaining members of the kidnapping gang and ensure they are brought to justice.
Further details are expected as the operation progresses.
DSS, Security Operatives Rescue Two Abducted Children in Kwara, Kill Two Kidnappers
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