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N805m Scam: Finally, Senator Nwaoboshi Lands in Prison

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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

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Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

By: Zagazola Makama

In the fight against the hydra-headed menace of banditry, troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have recorded a major breakthrough in Plateau, neutralising a notorious gunrunner and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

The feat, achieved between Sept. 4 and 6, highlights the military’s growing resolve to dismantle the criminal logistics networks that have long sustained armed violence in the North-Central.

The gunrunner, described as a “high-value target” by security sources, had allegedly played a critical role in supplying bandits with rifles, magazines, and other logistics across Plateau and neighbouring states.

His neutralisation, officials say, has dealt a heavy blow to the illicit supply chain that has prolonged insecurity in the region.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that credible intelligence led troops to track the suspect to a hideout where he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds on Sept. 4. He was swiftly apprehended and later confessed to his role as a logistics supplier, even agreeing to lead troops to his arms cache.

Two days later, on Sept. 6, troops launched a follow-up operation at the identified hideout. The mission, however, was anything but routine. As troops closed in, they came under heavy fire from the suspect’s gang members, resulting in a fierce exchange.

In the chaos, the gunrunner attempted to escape but was neutralised by the troops’ superior firepower. His cohorts, badly shaken by the encounter, fled the scene with gunshot wounds.

The troops subsequently combed the area, uncovering the concealed weapons: two AK-47 rifles and two magazines, which are now in custody.

The recovery, though modest in numbers, represents something bigger in the larger security equation: the deliberate targeting of supply chains that keep bandits armed and emboldened.

The bandit gangs rely not only on local recruits but also on a shadowy network of financiers, informants, and arms dealers. By dismantling this network, the military is effectively cutting off the oxygen that sustains criminal groups.

Troops intensify crackdown on gunrunners fuelling banditry in Plateau

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Residents of Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State are still reeling from a bloody attack launched by Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, even as combined troops of Operation Hadin Kai responded swiftly to neutralise the perpetrators.

Zagazola Makama reports that the incident occurred on Friday night when the terrorists stormed the remote community, unleashing violence that claimed the lives of several villagers.

Witnesses said the attackers invaded the community and opened fire indiscriminately, causing panic among residents who fled into nearby bushes for safety.

A security source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Operation Hadin Kai, supported by the Air Component, immediately mobilised after receiving distress calls from the area.

“Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft were deployed and tracked the terrorists as they attempted to flee northwards from Darajamal after the attack. The aircrew confirmed the presence of friendly forces in the area before engaging the fleeing terrorists with successive airstrikes.

“Over 30 of the insurgents were neutralised in the strikes, while ground reinforcements secured the community shortly after the bombardment,” the source said, as more terrorists fatalities are still being counted.

It was gathered that the coordinated air and ground operation prevented the insurgents from regrouping, forcing survivors of the attack to retreat deeper into the Sambisa forest.

Security sources confirmed that calm had been restored to Darajamal, adding that search operations were ongoing in nearby villages to reassure displaced residents and forestall any reprisal attacks.

Meanwhile, humanitarian workers have expressed concern over the plight of survivors who lost loved ones and properties in the initial assault before troops intervened. Aid groups say immediate relief, including food, medical support, and psychosocial care, will be critical for the affected community.

Governor Babagana Zulum and the Military High Command are expected to visit Darajamal to access the current situation.

Troops crush ISWAP terrorists after deadly attack on Darajamal community in Borno

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have arrested two suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers in Gudu Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended on Sept. 4 during a fighting patrol to Yaka village by a quick response team.

The suspects, according to the source, are in troop custody for further investigation and action.

Troops arrest terrorist informants, logistics suppliers in Sokoto

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