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 suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation UDO KA have arrested three suspected cult members and recovered a locally made pistol during a swift response to a distress call at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo in Ebonyi State.
Security sources said the operation was carried out at about 9:25 p.m. on March 25 by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Ikwo, following reports from the Chief Security Officer of the university about gunshots suspected to be linked to cult activities around the campus.
The sources said troops moved immediately to the scene, where they apprehended three suspects found in possession of knives and scissors.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly disclosed that another accomplice was in possession of an illegal firearm.
Acting on the information, troops proceeded to the suspect’s accommodation; however, he was said to have fled before their arrival.
A subsequent search of the room led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, concealed inside a handbag placed in the suspect’s wardrobe.
The sources added that efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspect, while the three arrested individuals remain in custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Troops arrest suspected cult members, recover locally made pistol in Ebonyi state
Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in ambush near Nigeria–Cameroon border
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist and recovered arms and logistics during an ambush operation along the Nigeria–Cameroon border axis.
Security sources said the ambush was conducted by troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised), 24 Task Force Brigade, following ongoing operations across the Madari–Segeme axis in Cameroon.
The sources disclosed that at about 11:40 p.m. on March 24, the ambush team made contact with fleeing terrorists along the Abari axis, leading to the neutralisation of one insurgent.
Items recovered from the scene included one M-19 assault rifle, assorted rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two mobile phones, one GSM battery, two Airtel SIM cards, five sachets of mebendazole tablets, a tactical gear bag, and one motorcycle.
According to the sources, the operation forms part of sustained efforts to track and eliminate fleeing terrorist elements along border corridors.
Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in ambush near Nigeria–Cameroon border
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the arrest followed credible intelligence on the movement of a suspect conveying items believed to be meant for terrorists.
The sources disclosed that at about 6:00 p.m. on March 25, troops of 233 Tank Battalion, in collaboration with members of the Yobe State Hunters Group, intercepted the suspect, identified as Modu Sharif, 23, while moving from Damaturu to Kadau village near Goniri axis.
Items recovered from the suspect included 11 brake liners, four carburetors, one bunch of springs, 17 spark plugs, one crankshaft, three packets of oil seals, 18 cable wires, and eight clutch handles, all suspected to be motorcycle spare parts.
According to the sources, the suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation that he was sent by Boko Haram elements to deliver the items.
The suspect is currently in custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other collaborators and dismantle the logistics network supporting terrorist activities in the region.
Troops arrest suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno
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