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 Foil Militia Attack on Plateau Community, Deploy Ambush Along Escape Routes
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace have foiled a suspected militia attack on Dantanko community in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, forcing the assailants to flee without causing casualties.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on July 12 after troops received reports of sporadic gunfire by suspected militias around the community.
The sources said troops swiftly responded to the distress call and engaged the attackers, compelling them to abandon their mission and flee into nearby bushes.
No casualties were recorded during the incident.
During the engagement, troops fired three rounds of 12.7 x 108mm armour-piercing ammunition to repel the attackers.
Following the operation, troops were deployed in ambush positions along suspected escape routes to intercept the fleeing suspects and prevent any regrouping.
Security authorities said clearance and confidence-building operations have been intensified in the area to reassure residents and forestall further attacks.
Troops Foil Militia Attack on Plateau Community, Deploy Ambush Along Escape Routes
Troops, Police Arrest 42 Suspected Kidnappers in Nasarawa Crackdown
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and local vigilantes, have arrested 42 suspected kidnappers during a coordinated security operation in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 9:45 a.m. on July 11 following reports of kidnapping activities in Nunku, Dundu, Takpir and Akka villages.
The joint security team swiftly mobilised to the affected communities, where 42 suspects were apprehended during clearance and cordon-and-search operations.
The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Andaha Division for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Security authorities said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and restore safety across Nasarawa State and neighbouring communities.
Troops, Police Arrest 42 Suspected Kidnappers in Nasarawa Crackdown
Troops Arrest Two Key Terrorist Collaborators, Recover Motorcycle in Zamfara
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 1 Brigade Counter-Terrorism Force 2, in collaboration with a Tactical Support Team (TST) and Hybrid Forces, have arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators linked to a notorious bandit leader during an offensive operation in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was conducted at about 5:00 p.m. on July 12 in Sakajiki Village based on credible intelligence.
During the operation, troops apprehended two key collaborators of the notorious terrorist kingpin, Kachalla Dan Sadiya. One of the suspects was identified as the son of the wanted bandit leader, according to the sources.
The troops also recovered a motorcycle believed to have been used in support of the group’s criminal activities.
The suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing preliminary interrogation, while efforts are ongoing to dismantle the remaining members of the criminal network operating in the area.
Troops Arrest Two Key Terrorist Collaborators, Recover Motorcycle in Zamfara
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Troops Foil Militia Attack on Plateau Community, Deploy Ambush Along Escape Routes
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