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 rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Operation OPEP have foiled an attack by Berom Militia and rescued an injured herder in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 12:22 p.m. on April 12 at Rasa village, where gunmen suspected to be Militia from Berom Community reportedly attacked a herder.
According to the sources, troops of Sector 4 OPEP deployed at Bisichi responded promptly to the distress call and forced the attackers to abandon their mission and flee.
They added that the troops rescued the victim, who sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
“The injured herder was evacuated to Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention,” the sources said.
They noted that troops have intensified patrols in the area to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents.
Troops rescue injured herder, foil attack by Berom Militia in Plateau
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has arrested two suspected foreign bandits in Jato-Aka area of the state.
Police sources said the suspects, identified as Franklin Penn, 32, and Ayong Louis, 33, were apprehended at about 6:00 a.m. on April 12 following credible intelligence.
According to the sources, the suspects, who claimed to be Cameroonian nationals, were found in possession of suspected criminal charms and foreign currency believed to be in French denomination.
The sources added that the suspects had no valid means of identification at the time of arrest.
They said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command assured that further developments would be communicated as investigations progress.
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected member of ISWAP/JAS arrested in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, has reportedly attempted suicide while in custody.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on April 13, following the suspect’s earlier arrest on April 12 by troops of 154 Task Force Battalion.
According to the sources, the suspect attempted to take his life by strangulation while in detention, but was quickly overpowered and restrained by troops on duty.
They added that the suspect was evacuated to a Level 2 Field Hospital (L2FH), where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.
The sources noted that security measures around the detainee have been reinforced, while investigations into the case continue.
Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno
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