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 Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Sector 7 of Operation Enduring Peace have foiled a protest by youths in Madakiya community of Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State over alleged delays in the announcement of election results.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 2:10 p.m. on May 20 following reports that youths had gathered to protest the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) handling of the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election results.
Troops, alongside other security agencies, were promptly deployed to the area to prevent escalation and restore order.
On arrival, the situation was brought under control as security personnel engaged the agitated youths and appealed for calm.
The protesters were subsequently addressed and dispersed peacefully without any violence or destruction of property.
Security sources said troops maintained a visible presence in the area afterwards to deter further unrest and ensure continued peace in the community.
Troops Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 of Operation Enduring Peace intervened to rescue a suspect from mob attack following an alleged attempted sexual assault in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on May 20 after reports that a student of Government Secondary School (GSS) Bassa was allegedly accosted by one Abdulazeez Sani, 25, at a hotel in Agyingi area of Bassa LGA.
The suspect was reportedly overpowered by angry youths who attempted to lynch him before the arrival of troops.
Security sources said troops swiftly intervened, rescued the suspect from mob action, and restored calm in the area.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to Keystone Division in Bassa for further investigation and necessary action.
Authorities said the intervention helped prevent escalation of violence and maintained order within the community.
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activity, Fire Warning Shots in Ebonyi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have disrupted illegal mining activities during a night patrol in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on May 19 when troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Ivo intercepted individuals engaged in unauthorized mining activities within the general area.
The troops reportedly apprehended four suspects and recovered a mini truck, sapper cables, and a vehicle battery believed to have been used for the illegal operations.
However, tension reportedly rose while the suspects and recovered items were being conveyed to the base, as some youths from Iheteu community allegedly obstructed the troops and attempted to resist the operation by throwing stones in support of the suspects.
In response, the troops fired two warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Security sources said calm was later restored and the situation brought under control without further escalation.
The suspects remain in custody for profiling and further investigation, while the recovered items have been secured for additional action.
Authorities said operations against illegal mining and other criminal activities would continue across affected communities in Ebonyi State.
Troops Disrupt Illegal Mining Activity, Fire Warning Shots in Ebonyi
Troops Foil Protest Over Election Result Dispute in Kaduna
Troops Rescue Suspect from Mob Action Over Alleged Attempted Rape in Plateau
Troops Foil Kidnapping Attempt, Rescue Injured Victim in Kaduna
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