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
Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican
By: Michael Mike
A leading Nigerian businessman and philanthropist, Dr. Leemon Ikpea, has met privately with the Pope at the Vatican in what close associates described as a deeply spiritual and inspiring moment.
Ikpea, the founding chairman and chief executive officer of the Lee Group of Companies, is a prominent figure in Nigeria’s indigenous oil and gas technology sector. The Edo State-born industrialist travelled to Rome as part of his annual spiritual devotion and to strengthen his commitment to the Catholic Church.
During the private audience, the Pontiff is said to have prayed for Ikpea and for Nigeria, urging peace, unity and development in the country. The Pope also reportedly commended the businessman for his philanthropic work and his contributions to human development initiatives both at home and abroad.
A close associate who accompanied Ikpea to the Vatican described the meeting as “humbling and uplifting.” According to him, the encounter reinforced Ikpea’s deep-rooted Catholic faith and his dedication to giving back to society despite his corporate success.
The associate further noted that the industrialist has remained connected to his modest beginnings in Ewatto, Edo State, even as he continues to expand his business interests and social investments.
Dr. Ikpea is widely known for supporting educational programmes, healthcare initiatives and community development projects across different parts of Nigeria.
The Vatican meeting is being seen by his supporters as both a spiritual milestone and a recognition of his humanitarian efforts.
Nigerian Industrialist Leemon Ikpea Granted Private Audience with Pope at Vatican
Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits have killed a 70-year-old herder and rustled about 100 cows in Anguwan Pah village, Kubacha, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Sources said the attack occurred at around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday when the bandits, reportedly in large numbers, stormed the Fulani settlement, shooting sporadically and creating panic among residents.
The victim, identified as Ardor Daudu, was fatally shot during the invasion. Relatives reportedly requested that no postmortem examination be conducted, and he was buried according to Islamic rites.
Security operatives promptly mobilized to the area following the report, photographing the scene and combing nearby bushes in an attempt to recover the stolen livestock.
Coordinated efforts are ongoing to track down the attackers and recover the rustled animals. Investigation into the incident has commenced.
Bandits kill herder, rustle 100 cows in kubacha, kagarko LGA in Kaduna
Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have raided a criminal hideout in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralising several criminals, rescuing a kidnapped victim and recovering arms, ammunition and motorcycles.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on Tuesday following credible intelligence on the activities of criminal elements operating within the area.
During the raid, the troops reportedly engaged the criminals in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of four suspects, while others fled the scene with possible injuries.
Items recovered from the hideout included one fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two motorcycles.
Preliminary findings indicated that the neutralised suspects were members of a criminal syndicate responsible for attacks along the Ganawuri–Manchok corridor.
In a related development, the troops were said to have responded swiftly to information on the abduction of a young woman, Miss Immaculate Samuel, who was kidnapped on the night of Jan. 13 at Kajim Village, also in Kaura LGA.
The troops mobilised and pursued the kidnappers, leading to another exchange of gunfire during which three of the suspects were neutralised, while the victim was rescued unharmed.
The rescued victim was subsequently debriefed and reunited with her family.
Security forces said troops had continued to dominate the general area in order to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal group and restore normalcy to affected communities.
Troops raid criminal hideout, rescue kidnapped victim in Kaduna
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