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 Intercept Smuggled Fuel, Recover 23 Jerrycans in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted a large quantity of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during a night patrol in Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 8:10 p.m. on April 21 by troops of 23 Brigade Special Battalion at Humbutudi village.
The troops reportedly intercepted 23 jerrycans, each containing 25 litres of PMS, suspected to be destined for terrorist elements operating within the North-East.
On sighting the troops, the smugglers abandoned the consignment and fled the area.
The recovered items are currently in military custody for further action.
The sources said the interception forms part of ongoing strangulation operations aimed at disrupting logistics supply chains to terrorist groups within the theatre of operations.
Troops Intercept Smuggled Fuel, Recover 23 Jerrycans in Adamawa
Troops Arrest Suspected Assailant, Recover Arms in Kaduna Operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have arrested a suspected assailant and recovered firearms following an attack on forest guards and hunters in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out on April 23 at about 9:35 a.m. by troops of Sector 7 of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), who responded to reports of attackers withdrawing towards Jaginde Forest after the incident at Gidan Waya.
The troops reportedly pursued the fleeing suspects towards Ungwan Maruwa, during which one suspect abandoned his motorcycle and escaped upon sighting the advancing troops.
A search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-49 rifle, and a motorcycle, among other items.
The sources added that a follow-on operation conducted in Gidan Waya resulted in the arrest of a suspect identified as Ahmed Musa, who is believed to be linked to the attack on forest guards and hunters.
The arrested suspect is currently in custody and undergoing further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the fleeing syndicate.
Security authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and enhancing safety in Kaduna State.
Troops Arrest Suspected Assailant, Recover Arms in Kaduna Operation
Terrorists Kill Butchers’ Association Leader in Katsina, Troops Launch Pursuit
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected terrorists have killed the leader of the Butchers Association of Nigeria, Ruwan Godiya branch, in an attack on the outskirts of Ruwan Godiya village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said troops of Sector 2 under Operation FANSAN YAMMA responded to the incident at about 1:25 p.m. on April 21 after receiving reports of terrorist activity in the area.
On arrival, the troops discovered that Sa’adu Amadu, identified as the leader of the local butchers’ association, had been shot dead in his compound by a suspected terrorist kingpin known as Dogo Musa.
The attackers were said to have fled the scene immediately after the killing.
Troops reportedly pursued the suspected assailants along their withdrawal route, but no contact was established.
The sources added that search operations and patrols have been intensified in the general area to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.
Terrorists Kill Butchers’ Association Leader in Katsina, Troops Launch Pursuit
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
Troops Intercept Smuggled Fuel, Recover 23 Jerrycans in Adamawa
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
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