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 arrest suspect over assault on Nigerian Air Force personnel in Bauchi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspect in connection with the assault on a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 8:15 a.m. on June 25, when troops of Sector 8 (Sub-Sector 82) responded to a distress report of an attack on an aircraft man attached to the 263 Nigerian Air Force Reference Hospital, Daura, Katsina State.
The airman was reportedly on welfare pass to Gital Community in Tafawa Balewa LGA when he was assaulted by a group of assailants.
On arrival at the scene, the troops arrested one of the suspects, identified as Umar Farouq Saidu, while other members of the group fled on sighting the security personnel.
Security sources said the arrested suspect is currently being interrogated to provide leads that will facilitate the arrest of the fleeing suspects and aid further investigation into the incident.
The military said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.
Troops arrest suspect over assault on Nigerian Air Force personnel in Bauchi
Boko Haram family members surrender to troops in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than 11 family members of Boko Haram terrorists, comprising five women and six children, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrender took place at about 6:00 p.m. on June 24 at separate locations in Banki, Bama Local Government Area.
According to the sources, four women and four minors from Chongolo village voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, while another woman and two minors from Ladantar surrendered to troops of the 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction.
The sources said preliminary profiling revealed that all 11 individuals are family members of Boko Haram terrorists who fled insurgent enclaves in search of safety.
Following documentation and profiling by the troops, the surrendered individuals were handed over to the Bama Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp for further processing and rehabilitation in line with established procedures.
Military sources said the surrender is part of the continuing wave of defections from terrorist enclaves as sustained military pressure under Operation HADIN KAI continues to weaken insurgent groups operating in the North-East.
They added that the overall security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops remain vigilant and maintain high morale in ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
Boko Haram family members surrender to troops in Borno
Crime
Troops intercept two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers, seize 750 litres of petrol in Yobe
Troops intercept two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers, seize 750 litres of petrol in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers and recovered a large quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) during a snap checkpoint operation in Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 3:30 p.m. on June 24 by troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected terrorist collaborators along the Buni Gari–Bara road.
The suspects were identified as Lawali Alhaji Yunusa and Musa Ibrahim Baguwa, both natives of Kukawa Ward in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Items recovered from the suspects include two TVS motorcycles, 30 jerrycans of 25 litres each filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), amounting to about 750 litres of fuel, one Tecno mobile phone and the sum of ₦49,650.
Military sources said the suspects and the recovered exhibits are currently in the custody of the 27 Task Force Brigade Garrison for further investigation to establish their links with Boko Haram logistics networks.
The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt the supply chain sustaining terrorist activities in the North-East by intercepting fuel, food and other logistics destined for insurgent enclaves.
Troops intercept two suspected Boko Haram logistics suppliers, seize 750 litres of petrol in Yobe
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