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 Four Suspected Drug Peddlers, Recover Cannabis in Plateau Raid
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested four suspected illicit drug peddlers during a raid on a criminal hideout in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 10:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Congo Russia area of Jos North as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and curb drug-related activities in the state.
During the raid, troops arrested four suspects identified as Isah Mohammed, 20; Nura Kabil, 19; Hamisu Rabiu, 21; and Yakubu Mohammed, 35.
The troops also recovered quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa from the suspects during the operation.
Sources said the suspects have been profiled and are currently in custody for further necessary action, while investigations are ongoing to uncover other members of the illicit drug network.
The operation forms part of sustained security efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to rid Plateau State of criminal elements and deny drug traffickers safe havens within the state.
Troops Arrest Four Suspected Drug Peddlers, Recover Cannabis in Plateau Raid
Crime
Troops Neutralise militia, Recover Rustled Livestock After Attack During Clearance Operation in Plateau
Troops Neutralise militia, Recover Rustled Livestock After Attack During Clearance Operation in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have neutralised a suspected militia following an attack on security personnel during a clearance operation in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 7:00 a.m. on June 26 following credible reports on the activities of armed livestock rustlers around the Gero high grounds in Jos South LGA.
During the operation, the troops intercepted a herd of cattle allegedly grazing on cultivated farmland.
The sources said the troops came under sporadic gunfire from suspected militia shortly after the interception.
The troops responded by holding their position and calling for reinforcements.
Additional troops from Sector 3 at Rafin Bauna, alongside other reinforcements led by the Commander of Sector 6, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a firefight.
During the encounter, one suspected bandit was neutralised, while others fled the scene.
A search of the area led to the recovery of two mobile phones and the sum of ₦14,000, believed to have been abandoned by the fleeing suspects.
The intercepted cattle were moved to a safe location for further necessary action.
Military sources said troops have continued clearance operations and domination patrols across the area to forestall further attacks and deny criminal elements freedom of action in Plateau State.
Troops Neutralise militia, Recover Rustled Livestock After Attack During Clearance Operation in Plateau
Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Plateau, Intensify Hunt for Abductors
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have rescued three kidnap victims in separate operations in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State following sustained rescue missions against criminal elements.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the first operation was launched at about 7:30 p.m. on June 25 after troops of Sector 1 OPEP received a report that one Yusuf Usman had been abducted at Ruga Gurum in Bassa LGA.
The troops, in collaboration with Keystone operatives, immediately commenced a rescue operation at the suspected hideout of the kidnappers.
During the operation, it was discovered that the victim had escaped from his captors before the arrival of the security team. He was subsequently evacuated to Alheri Hospital for medical examination, while efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the kidnappers.
In a related development, troops sustained pressure on kidnappers who had earlier abducted travellers along the Jos–Zaria Road at Mista Ali in Bassa LGA.
The continued rescue operation forced the kidnappers to release the two remaining victims, identified as Owen Henry and Joshua Samuel Adeleke, both from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Security sources said the victims were safely recovered, while troops have continued aggressive patrols and clearance operations in the general area to prevent criminal elements from regrouping or carrying out further attacks.
The military urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts aimed at tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities across Plateau State.
Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Plateau, Intensify Hunt for Abductors
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Troops Arrest Four Suspected Drug Peddlers, Recover Cannabis in Plateau Raid
Troops Neutralise militia, Recover Rustled Livestock After Attack During Clearance Operation in Plateau
Troops Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Plateau, Intensify Hunt for Abductors
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