NEWS
Alleged N785m fraud: Court orders arrest of Imo state Deputy Speaker, Iwuanyanwu
Following his alleged involvement in a N785million fraud, the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an arrest warrant for Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, the deputy speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, on Friday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Department of Statistic Services, the Nigerian Immigration Services, and Interpol were ordered by the court in a ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo to immediately arrest the lawmaker “anywhere he is sighted in Nigeria or outside Nigeria and produce him before this honorable court or to the EFCC headquarters, Abuja.”
The EFCC filed an ex-parte motion with the court on November 14 through its attorney, Mr. Olanrewaju Adeola, which led to the court ordering Iwuanyawu’s detention.
The EFCC informed the court that it received information that the legislator had since fled the nation and was currently hiding in the United States of America, USA, in the application with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/2124/2024.
It informed the court that the Respondent declined to show up to answer a petition filed against him and his business, Sun Gold Estate Limited.
The EFCC claims that Hakiz Investment Company Limited entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, or MoU, with Iwuanyawu’s company at some point in 2012 to develop an estate with 14 units of four-bedroom terrace homes and one block of six flats on the petitioner’s land in Mabuchi, Abuja. The petition was signed by the company’s lawyer, Mr. A. A. Malik, SAN, and was addressed to the EFCC’s Chairman.
It informed the court that the terms of the agreement were as follows: Upon Respondent’s completion of the estate, the complainant—who is the landowner—would receive 40% of the building, and Respondent—who is the developer—would receive 60% of the building.
However, the anti-graft agency alleged that its investigations revealed that “upon completion of the estate, the Respondent sold all the buildings and criminally diverted the funds without the knowledge of the Complainant”.
“That the market value of 40% of the buildings is about N785million.
“That investigation is still ongoing and all invitations extended to both Iwuanyanwu and his company proved abortive.
“That a lawyer to the Respondent had on one of the occasions, received a copy of the invitation on his behalf and made promises that he would be available for questioning.
“That there is an intelligence report that the Respondent is in the USA.
“That without the suspect being apprehended or voluntarily coming to state their side of the story, the investigation will be incomplete.
“That in the light of the calculated effort by the suspect to remain evasive, there is need to place the suspect on watch list of the Commission, the police and any other law enforcement”, EFCC averred in an affidavit that was deposed to by one of its officials, Ufuoma Ezire.
According to the EFCC, the court should issue an arrest warrant for the Respondent in the interest of justice.
It used section 35(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, sections 3, 37, and 39(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as sections 6, 7, 13, and 41 of the EFCC (Establishment Act), to support the request for an arrest warrant to be issued against the Respondent.
The Commission testified before the court that it has since sent letters outlining its investigation operations to the Corporate Affairs Commission, banks, and other pertinent organizations.
Meanwhile, in his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that there was merit in the ex-parte application and accordingly granted it.
Specifically, the court, made an order: “Issuing a warrant of arrest against Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till February 23 for report.
Hon. Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against criticisms over the difficulties facing Northern Nigeria.
He argued that the North has received substantial financial support through regional development commissions and should focus on utilizing these resources effectively.
Zailani made this statement while speaking to journalists after receiving Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President-General of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), who visited to offer condolences following the passing of his stepmother, Hajia Fatima Abdullahi (Goggu Ladi).
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He noted that Tinubu’s administration had provided significant financial backing to the North, particularly through the creation of regional development commissions, each receiving ₦750 billion annually—totaling ₦2.25 trillion for the region.
“President Tinubu has, in his own way, liberated the North from poverty and underdevelopment.
“With an annual budget of ₦750 billion allocated to each of the North’s three development commissions—totaling ₦2.25 trillion annually—the North has no reason to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment,” Zailani stated.
He pointed out that if these funds were used efficiently, they could transform key sectors such as power, agriculture, and industrialization.
He cited an example where ₦200 billion could generate 100 megawatts of solar power, while investments in fertilizer blending plants and research could boost agricultural productivity.
Zailani stressed the need for accountability, urging Northerners to shift their focus from blaming the Federal Government to questioning the performance of their own development commissions.
“Instead of constantly questioning what the Federal Government is doing or not doing, we should be asking what our development commissions are doing with the allocated funds,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the Proposed Tax Reforms Bill, which some argue favors industrialized states like Lagos, Zailani encouraged the North to take advantage of its development funding and focus on self-sufficiency.
“Now that we have been empowered with development commissions, let us build our own industries and generate our own taxes instead of complaining,” he added.
He also commended Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for his efforts in infrastructure development, particularly his directive for the construction of 20 kilometers of asphalt roads in each constituency.
He called on AYCF and similar organizations to collaborate with the government to drive progress in the region.
In response, Alhaji Yerima Shettima offered prayers for the late Hajia Fatima Abdullahi and reaffirmed AYCF’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
“We will continue to uphold the truth and ensure justice for all,” Shettima stated.
The Lagos State Government has announced the closure and diversion of traffic on the Independence/Mekwen Bridge (inbound Marina/CMS route) for two months to allow for emergency repairs.
In a statement on Sunday, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed that the repair work would commence on Wednesday, March 19, and run until Monday, May 26, 2025.
As a result, the section of the road from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge down to Independence Bridge will be closed to vehicular movement.
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Additionally, the Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge service lane inbound Independence Bridge will not be accessible to motorists. However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe will remain open.
To ease traffic congestion, the government has provided alternative routes for motorists.
“For motorists heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way, Osiyemi advised using Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, then proceeding to Falomo Roundabout and linking Obafemi Awolowo Road to access Ring Road.
“Those traveling to the 3rd Mainland Bridge from Ahmadu Bello Way should go through Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, then link Alfred Rewane Road to Osborne Road before connecting to Ring Road.
“Motorists heading to Inner Marina and CMS from Ahmadu Bello Way will be diverted through Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street to connect Falomo Roundabout, then link Obafemi Awolowo Road to access J.K. Randle Road/King George V Road.
Osiyemi assured that traffic management personnel would be deployed to regulate movement during the repair period.
“Motorists heading to Ahmadu Bello Way from Inner Marina/CMS will have through-traffic access,” he said.
The commissioner also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring minimal disruption, stating that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be on the ground to manage traffic flow along the affected routes.
The state government urged residents to plan their journeys accordingly and comply with the alternative routes to ease congestion during the two-month repair period.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has approved the recruitment of 1,100 primary school teachers to fill vacancies in public schools across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The announcement was made in a statement on Sunday by Bolu Ajijo, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
According to the statement, the approval was granted after the completion of the recruitment process.
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“As part of deliberate efforts to fill critical vacancies in public primary schools across the state, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the employment of one thousand one hundred teachers by the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board,” the statement read.
Reacting to the decision, the Executive Chairman of Ondo SUBEB, Victor Olambitan, commended the governor for addressing the shortage of teachers in the state’s public schools.
“The employment will go a long way in improving the pupil-teacher ratio in our public primary schools and, at the same time, enhance the quality of education delivered in schools, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas across the state,” Olambitan stated.
He also assured applicants that details on how to check the list of successful candidates and begin the documentation process would be made public soon.
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