The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja, delivered a blow to former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, as it dismissed his attempt to contest the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) authority to prosecute him.

Agunloye stands accused of involvement in a multi-billion-dollar fraud linked to the Mambilla Power Project contract, amounting to a staggering $6 billion.

On February 8, 2024, Agunloye had, through his counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), filed a motion challenging the powers of the EFCC to investigate and prosecute him, as well as that of the jurisdiction of the court to try him.

However, the prosecution, represented by counsel Abba Muhammed, swiftly responded with a counter affidavit on February 22, 2024, asserting the motion’s incompetence and its contradiction with Section 115(2) of the Evidence Act.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie, delivering the ruling on Wednesday, struck out Agunloye’s motion for lack of merit.

He held that Section 6 and 7 of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, grant the Commission investigative and prosecutorial powers to initiate investigations into acts of economic and financial crimes.

The judge ruled “On issues of whether the EFCC has the statutory power to investigate and prosecute before a court of competent jurisdiction, I have considered the application of the defence and the respondent, and I hold that the EFCC is charged with the investigation and prosecution of all economic and financial crimes including, contract scams, money laundering, advance fee fraud etc, including the investigation and enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws, also cause investigation to weather an individual or company, or anybody is likely to commit any crime.

“Since the instant charges brought against the defendant are economic and financial crimes in nature, the motion brought by the defendant lacks merit and is hereby dismissed.”

In addressing the issue of the prosecution fiat obtained by the Commission from the Office of the Auditor-General rather than the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the judge affirmed that in the absence of the AGF, any other state, authority, or person could validly institute criminal prosecution.

He said “Even if the charge has no seal of the Attorney-General of the Federation, that does not stop the potency of the charge, as the Attorney-General may decide on any member of his department he wishes to delegate his powers to carry out his duties by law.”

The judge scheduled the next hearing for May 30, 2024, to continue the trial.

The Niger State Imam Forum, comprising Chief Imams of Friday Mosques in the state and Islamic Organizations, affirmed their commitment to proceed with the marriage ceremony of 100 orphans in Mariga Local Government Area.

Originally set for May 24, 2024, the event faced a setback when Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, retracted his endorsement of the wedding involving orphans from his district.

The withdrawal of support by the Speaker came after the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, expressed concerns about the legality of the wedding, questioning whether the girls’ consent and adherence to marriage age laws, including the Child Rights Act, were ensured.

Despite this, the Imam Forum insisted that the wedding would proceed, citing its compliance with relevant sections of the Nigerian constitution and Islamic teachings.

Dr. Umar Farouk, Director General of Niger State Religious Affairs, conveyed the forum’s decisions following an emergency meeting in Minna.

He issued a 7-day ultimatum to the Minister, demanding the withdrawal of her court case and petition against the Speaker of the Niger Assembly, or face legal repercussions.

Additionally, the forum demanded an apology from her to the citizens of Niger and the Speaker for purported blackmailing.

Farouk emphasized that the wedding date of May 24, 2024, remained firm, asserting that the Imam Forum, along with the brides’ parents, would proceed with the ceremony, given the Speaker’s contribution to ensure its success.

Furthermore, Dr. Farouk urged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Minister, alleging incompetence and an endeavor to incite religious discord in Nigeria.

Farouk urged other philanthropists, affluent individuals, and politicians to follow the Speaker’s lead in organizing similar marriages as a means to reform society.

He noted that the prospective brides, aged between 18 and 25, included widows, and assured that their consent was obtained, with all requisite procedures meticulously adhered to.

The Organized labor has pulled out of the ongoing minimum wage discussions with the Federal Government, criticizing the proposed wage figures as inadequate.

This choice came in response to suggestions from both the Federal Government and the Organized Private Sector (OPS), putting forth minimum wage proposals ranging between N48,000 and N54,000 respectively.

Labor representatives slammed these amounts as “ridiculous,” noting that the OPS has admitted its members usually pay at least N78,000.

Details later………