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Abuja Court Grants Emefiele Bail, Restricts Him To FCT

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Emefiele in Court

 

The Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, has granted the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, bail in the sum of N300 million and two sureties in like sum.

In granting the bail, on Wednesday, Justice Hamza Muazu stipulated that the sureties must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama District.

In addition, Emefiele must deposit all his travel documents with the registrar of the court and must remain within the Abuja Municipal Council.

He would be at the Kuje Correctional Centre until he meets the bail conditions.

Biztellers reports that this is coming comes four months after the Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Lagos granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20 million, under a separate charge for illegal arms possession.

 

Alleged Procurement Fraud

Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), had last Friday, arraigned Emefiele on a six-count charge bordering on alleged procurement.

The original charge, had 20 counts to the tune of N6.5 billion, was reduced to six, to the tune of N1.6 billion.

The embattled former governor of the CBN is the only defendant in the new charge.

He made appearance in the court on Friday for an application for bail, pleading not guilty to the six-count charge after it was read to him.

From the charge-sheet, the FGN had alleged that Emefiele illegally bought 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020 worth N1.2 billion.

He was also accused of awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles valued at N854 million.

Count one read, “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, sometime in 2018 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did use your position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854,700,000 only to April1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro is a director and thereby committed an offence.”

In the second count, Emefiele was accused of using his position to corruptly confer an advantage on Yaro, “a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99,900,000 only to April1616 Investment Ltd, a company in which the said Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro Director and thereby committed an offence.”

He was also accused of conferring corrupt advantage contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 by awarding a contract for the supply of one Toyota Landcruiser V8 April1616 Investment Ltd., in 2019 at the cost of N73 million.

The fourth count was about a Toyota Landcruiser V8 valued N73,800,000 awarded illegally to April 1616 Investment Ltd.

The FGN further accused the former CBN governor of also awarding a contract to Yaro for the supply of two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of N44,200,000 in 2020.

Consequently, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court adjourned the case till November 22 for ruling on the bail application of Emefiele and November 28 for the commencement of trial.

On interim basis, the judge ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, until he fulfills his bail conditions.

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Lagos Market On Fire As Hoodlums Clash [Video]

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Numerous individuals sustained injuries following a confrontation between rival groups in the Ile-Epo vicinity of Lagos State.

According to reports, the altercation erupted within the local market on Wednesday night and persisted into Thursday morning.

During the clash, several shops were set ablaze, and merchandise was vandalized. Despite efforts by law enforcement, the intervention was hindered by the aggressors.

This morning, a fire service truck attempting to enter the market was compelled to retreat after being bombarded with stones by unidentified assailants.

See video below:

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NGX Group Releases Stellar Q1 ’24 Numbers

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NGX: Transactions maintain bearish trend with 0.0% loss

The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group) has unveiled stellar Q1 2024 results, signaling a promising trajectory for the company.

Biztellers reports that this is coming shortly after the company’s 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).

From the results made available on Thursday, the Group reported an impressive N2 billion in Profit before Tax (PBT), bolstered by robust growth in operating margins and operational efficiencies.

From the results, Profit After Tax (PAT) rose to N1.3 billion, marking a remarkable 332% increase from the N310 million recorded in Q1 2023.

The NGX claims that “This exceptional performance underscores the group’s unwavering commitment to excellence and strategic growth initiatives”.

Recall that at the AGM, the NGX Group announced plans to capitalize on digital distribution for the upcoming recapitalization exercises mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Additionally, the group disclosed a strategic acquisition of a stake in the Ethiopian Stock Exchange, securing a seat on the bourse’s board.

These decisive moves align with the group’s overarching strategy to expand its business operations and solidify its position in the regional market.

In a bid to secure long-term sustainability and drive growth, the NGX Group implemented a strategic optimization initiative. This comprehensive plan encompasses a strategic reduction in workforce size, accompanied by significant salary increases for retained staff.

The initiative aims to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and optimize resources, fostering a more competitive and agile organization.

The exercise follows a thorough review of the group’s operations, which revealed opportunities for optimization and improved competitiveness. The NGX Group remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for sustainable growth.

The recent approval by shareholders of a N10 billion capital raise underscores investor confidence in the NGX Group’s strategic direction and its unwavering commitment to driving sustainable growth and value creation.

The NGX Group remains dedicated to serving its customers, partners, and stakeholders, confident that these strategic measures will pave the way for future success. The company’s focus remains on innovation, customer satisfaction, and building a resilient organization poised for growth.

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Premium 86-Room-Under-Bridge Apartment Uncovered At Ikoyi, Lagos

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The Lagos State government has uncovered an 86-room under bridge apartment in the Ikoyi Area of the state, where tenants pay as much as N250,000 annually as rent, per room.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Lagos State, Tokunbo Wahab, made the disclosure in text and video clips on his verified X handle on Wednesday.

He revealed that the apartment is under the Dolphin Estate Bridge, Ikoyi, and has 86 partitioned rooms, sized “10×10 and 12×10”.

According to Wahab the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

He wrote, “A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

A Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, shed more light on the matter.

He gave kudos to the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as KAI for the feat, who cleared up the mess on Tuesday, arresting some of people in the process.

Rotimi-Akodu, who also shared text and video clips of the development, wrote, “Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will take its course.”

He also confirmed that the bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10 with squatters paying an average rent of N250,000 per annum.

“Continuation of the removal of abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants used gas cylinders, and some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster,” he added.

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