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 recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered the bodies of four herders allegedly killed by local youths in a reprisal attack in Kamantan Chiefdom, Kaduna State.
Security sources said the incident followed a kidnapping episode at Zuturuntinta village, where the herders were reported missing.
The sources disclosed that troops received intelligence on April 4 indicating that the victims were attacked and killed while relocating with their cattle to a safer location on the same night of the incident.
“They were reportedly intercepted and attacked by some angry youths, allegedly in retaliation for the death of a local during the kidnapping incident,” the source said.
Following the report, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in the area requested military assistance to mobilise the community for a search operation to locate the missing herders.
Troops were immediately deployed to the village, where they convened a meeting with community members, including the village head.
The village head was said to have provided local hunters and members of the Kaduna Vigilante Service (KADVS) to support the search alongside troops and Fulani representatives.
During the operation, troops identified multiple indicators suggesting the herders had been killed.
“Following blood trails, troops discovered a shallow grave where the four victims were buried,” the source added.
Items recovered at the scene included two mobile phones.
The remains of the victims were reburied at the same location in accordance with Islamic rites, with the consent of their families and Fulani community leaders.
The Sector Commander has directed community leaders to produce those responsible for the killings not later than Wednesday to face justice and help restore peace in the area.
Troops have since been deployed to reinforce security and prevent possible reprisal attacks.
Troops recover another bodies of four herders, targeted and killed by Kaduna
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have recovered suspected rustled cattle during a night patrol in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the recovery was made on April 3 at about 10:05 p.m. following intelligence on the movement of suspected cattle rustlers along Suma Ruga Rakwok village axis.
It was gathered that troops deployed at Kanse laid an ambush along a bush path in the area.
On sighting the troops, the rustlers reportedly abandoned the cattle and fled into the surrounding bush.
The recovered livestock have been secured, while efforts are ongoing to ascertain the exact number and identify the rightful owners.
Sources added that Fulani community leaders would be contacted to facilitate proper identification and handover of the cattle.
Troops recover suspected rustled cattle in Plateau
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and rescued a victim during a search-and-rescue operation in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted on April 3 at about 6:05 a.m. following a distress call from the Nigeria Police, Obolo Division, based on a report by the Ezimo Community Neighbourhood Watch.
It was gathered that the troops, drawn from 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, made contact with the suspected kidnappers during the operation, leading to a gun battle.
One of the suspects was neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding bush.
During exploitation of the area, the troops successfully rescued the kidnapped victim.
Items recovered at the scene included six mobile phones, a power bank, a torchlight, energy drinks, clothing and food items.
The corpse of the neutralised suspect and the rescued victim were handed over to the police for further action.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure the area remains secure.
Troops neutralise kidnapper, rescue victim in Enugu
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