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
One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
By Zagazola Makama
One person has been confirmed dead while two others sustained injuries following a communal clash between Fulani and Gwari youths in Gambwa village via Fuka area of Niger State.
Security sources said the incident occurred on April 30 when youths from both communities engaged in a violent confrontation over a disputed piece of land.
The sources disclosed that the clash led to the burning of tents and dwelling houses, causing panic among residents.
According to the sources, three persons Safe Turaki, 45; Shuaibu Ahmadu, 25; and Nasiru Yahaya, 54 sustained varying degrees of injuries during the violence.
They added that the victims were rushed to Kafin Koro Hospital for treatment, where Shuaibu was treated and discharged, Nasiru is still receiving medical care, while Safe Turaki later died from injuries sustained.
The sources further said security operatives visited the scene, restored calm, and brought the situation under control.
They noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the violence, while investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the clash.
One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have rescued two kidnapped victims and launched a manhunt for suspected bandits following an attack along Gadar Iya axis on the border between Katsina and Kaduna States.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on May 1 when heavily armed bandits blocked the road and abducted occupants of two vehicles a Mitsubishi Canter truck and a Toyota Corolla.
The sources disclosed that the attackers kidnapped about five unidentified occupants from the truck, along with six passengers from the Toyota Corolla identified as Isiya Abubakar, Sufiyanu Gide, Rabi Isiyaku, Harira Isiyaku, Jamila, and Maliki Muhammad.
According to the sources, troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, secured the area, and commenced aggressive clearance operations.
They added that during the operation, two victims Muhammad Sani, 60, from Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and Khadija Isiyaku, 25, from Keffi in Nasarawa State were successfully rescued.
The sources further said the affected vehicles were evacuated to a secure location, while ongoing cordon-and-search operations are aimed at rescuing the remaining victims and apprehending the fleeing suspects.
Security presence has been intensified along the axis to prevent further incidents.
Troops Rescue Two Victims, Launch Manhunt After Bandits’ Attack on Katsina–Kaduna Border
One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina
By Zagazola Makama
A 21-year-old man, Musa Bashir, has been killed during a bandit attack on Unguwar Kanawa village in Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:50 p.m. on May 1 when a large number of heavily armed bandits invaded the community.
The sources disclosed that security operatives, supported by military personnel and local security groups, were swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun duel.
According to the sources, the bandits were overpowered and forced to retreat into a nearby forest following the exchange.
They added that during a post-attack assessment, Musa Bashir was found fatally shot.
The sources further said the victim’s body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Dandume, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.
Security teams have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects, with intensified patrols ongoing in the area.
One Killed as Security Forces Repel Bandit Attack in Katsina
One Rescued, Bandit Killed as troops Repel Attack in Zamfara
One Killed, Two Injured in Communal Clash in Niger
Troops Foil Bandits’ Attack, Recover 27 Rustled Animals in Sokoto
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