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
Man Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in Gombe, Police Begin Investigation
By Zagazola Makama
The Gombe State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the death of a young man who was found hanging inside his room in Akko Local Government Area of the state.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 3:00 p.m. on July 13 by Bulus Kefas, a resident of Kaniyal Quarters.
According to the report, the deceased, identified as Gerson Bulus Kefas, was discovered at about 2:20 p.m. hanging from the ceiling of his room at the family residence.
Police operatives visited and documented the scene before evacuating the victim to the Specialist Hospital, where medical personnel confirmed him dead. His body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending further investigation.
Sources said a handwritten note, believed to have been authored by the deceased, was recovered at the scene and has been taken into police custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
The police said efforts are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Man Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in Gombe, Police Begin Investigation
Gunmen Abduct Businessman in Bauchi Community as Police Launch Rescue Operation
By Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted a 40-year-old man from his residence in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State, prompting a joint search operation by security agencies and local vigilantes.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at about 12:30 p.m. on July 13 by Jauro Ubale Muhammad, a resident of Yoye via Bara Village.
According to the sources, at about 3:40 a.m. on the same day, four unidentified armed men stormed the residence of Alhaji Gide Mai Yara, 40, in Bara Village and abducted him to an unknown destination.
Following the report, police patrol teams from Kirfi Division, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante members, were immediately mobilised to the area.
Security operatives have since intensified efforts to trace the kidnappers, rescue the victim unharmed and apprehend those responsible for the abduction.
The Bauchi State Police Command said investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Gunmen Abduct Businessman in Bauchi Community as Police Launch Rescue Operation
Troops Arrest Suspected ‘Suck and Die’ Dealer During Raid in Adamawa
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected dealer of methylene chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” during a raid operation in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 12:30 p.m. on July 13 by troops of the 232 Battalion (Tactical) across Hong metropolis to dominate the area and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
During the operation, troops arrested the suspect, identified as Sani Adamu, 30, at the Hong Market. A four-litre empty gallon used for methylene chloride was recovered from him.
The suspect was subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Hong Command, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops Arrest Suspected ‘Suck and Die’ Dealer During Raid in Adamawa
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Man Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in Gombe, Police Begin Investigation
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