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 recover additional weapon, ammunition after Kukareta attack in Yobe
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered additional arms and ammunition during follow-up clearance operations after a recent terrorist attack on Kukareta in Yobe State.
Security sources said the troops conducted a sweep of the general area of contact at about 8:00 a.m. as part of ongoing exploitation operations aimed at tracking fleeing insurgents.
During the search, the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle with registration number 178910, one magazine and five rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, believed to have been abandoned by the terrorists while escaping from the scene.
The sources said the recovered items had been secured, adding that no further enemy contact was made during the operation.
They added that troops would continue follow-up exploitation operations in the area, noting that the general security situation remains fluid but under control, with troops maintaining high morale and operational effectiveness.
Troops recover additional weapon, ammunition after Kukareta attack in Yobe
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Division Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a civilian in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the incident occurred in the early hours of April 26 at about 3:00 a.m., when troops on night patrol at Sanga responded to reports of sporadic gunshots along Ungwan Mohammadu village road.
The sources said the troops swiftly moved to the scene and made contact with suspected kidnappers, engaging them in a firefight that forced the criminals to flee.
According to the sources, one civilian who sustained gunshot wounds during the incident was rescued by the troops.
The victim was immediately evacuated to Confidence Hospital in Fadan Karshi for medical attention and is currently receiving treatment.
The sources added that troops have intensified patrols and are conducting follow-up operations to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks in the area.
Troops foil kidnap attempt, rescue victim in Kaduna
Troops arrest 10 suspects in Benue offensive operation
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have arrested 10 suspected terrorists during an offensive operation in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources told Zagazola that the operation was carried out in the early hours of April 25 at about 12:01 a.m. by troops deployed at Kyado.
The sources said the troops conducted a targeted offensive on a suspected terrorist enclave in the area, leading to the arrest of the 10 suspects.
According to the sources, the suspects were apprehended without incident and are currently in military custody for further investigation.
They added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and restore security in parts of Benue State.
The sources assured that troops will continue sustained offensive actions to rid the area of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops arrest 10 suspects in Benue offensive operation
Troops recover additional weapon, ammunition after Kukareta attack in Yobe
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