Connect with us

Crime

Buhari’s Former Power Minister Mamman Granted N10bn Bail

Published

on

 

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted the former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman in the sum of N10 billion.

Biztellers reports that he would also have to produce two sureties in like sum before regaining his freedom, as the court ruled after hearing his application on Friday.

Justice Omotosho also ruled that the sureties would have to produce three years’ tax clearance certificates and properly documented landed property in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) worth N750 million each as part of the bail conditions.

Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mamman on a 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit money laundering to the tune of N33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo).

READ ALSO: BREAKING: EFCC Blocks Emefiele’s Quest For Overseas Medical Trip

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, SALEH KWAGYANG MAMMAN (Male), sometime in 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, whilst you were the Minister of Power conspired with other officials of your Ministry and some private companies to indirectly convert the total sum of =N=33,804,830,503.73 (Thirty-Three Billion, Eight Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, and Seventy-Three Kobo) through various private companies which sums you reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity, to wit: criminal breach of trust in relation to the funds released for the Mambilla and Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant Projects by the Federal Government of Nigeria; and you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 18(a), 15(2)(b)of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

Count two of the charges read: “That you, SALEH KWAGYANG MAMMAN (Male), sometime in December 2019, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Court, conspired with SAMSON BITRUS to make a cash payment of US$655,700:00 (Six Hundred and Sixty-Five Thousand and Seven Hundred United States Dollars) to MOHIBA INVESTMENT LTD (acting through Mohammed Asheik Jidda), without going through a financial institution, and that you thereby commit an offence contrary to Sections 1 and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended), and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

After the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded “not guilty” to all the 12 count-charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, to ask for a trial date.

Before the arraignment on Thursday, Mamman collapsed within the court premises frustrating the proceedings of the court

The proceeding was postponed till the former Minister regained his balance. His counsel, Femi Ate, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court of his client’s health issue when the case was called.

Ate requested an adjournment for the arraignment to be rescheduled till September but the judge declined, citing the tight business of the court. Ate subsequently withdrew the oral application for an adjournment.

The Judge inquired if Mamman was fit to proceed with the arraignment and he responded in the affirmative.

He also explained that his collapse was due to taking his medication on an empty stomach thereby causing unfavourable reactions in his body.

The defence counsel also complained about an error in the name on the charge served his client, prompting the judge to postpone the arraignment for some hours.

At the resumption of proceedings, the prosecution counsel informed the court of an amended charge which had been served on the defence team.

Justice Omotosho had adjourned the matter till Friday, July 12, 2024, to hear the application filed by Ate on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Mamman served as Minister of Power from 2019 to 2021. He was detained by the EFCC on May 10, 2021, following his removal from office by President Muhammadu Buhari on September 1, 2021, in a cabinet reshuffle.

Crime

Navy Recovers 98,000 Litres of Suspected Stolen Crude in Rivers

Published

on

The Nigerian Navy (NN) has uncovered three suspected illegal refining sites containing about 98,000 litres of petroleum products in Okarki community, Ahoada West Local Council of Rivers State.

It was gathered that the discovery was made on October 10, 2026, during an operation conducted by Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder under Operation Delta Sentinel.

The Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, gave the details in a statement, exposing that the sites contained approximately 65,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil and 33,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.

The products were stored in about 12 dugout pits and containers across the three locations.

The Navy said no arrests were made because the suspected operators had fled before the arrival of the naval team, adding that the sites and products were subsequently handled in accordance with established procedures.

READ ALSO: NNPC Petrol Discount: Oyedele Explains How Lower Margins Could Boost Profits

According to the statement, the discovery highlights the scale of suspected illicit petroleum storage in the area and the risk of the products entering unlawful distribution channels.

The Navy said the operation disrupted storage activities at the three locations and denied suspected operators access to a substantial quantity of petroleum products for further illegal handling and sale.

It added that it would sustain intelligence-led patrols and operations to identify illegal refining facilities, disrupt the storage and movement of suspected stolen petroleum products, and support efforts to bring those responsible to justice in accordance with the law.

Continue Reading

Crime

Oyo Police Arrest Suspected Cultist Who Allegedly Travelled to Avenge Brother’s Death

Published

on

The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected cultist, Kingsley Odo, who allegedly travelled to the state to avenge the death of his brother.

The suspect was intercepted by operatives of the Safer Highway patrol team during a routine stop-and-search operation on a commercial bus along Ife Road.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Ayanlade Olushola Olayinka, said the operatives recovered a locally made, cut-to-size pistol and a cartridge during a search of the vehicle.

SEE ALSO: Oyo Police Begin Probe Into Abduction of Pastor’s Daughter In Ibadan

Olayinka said further questioning revealed that the suspect had travelled to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing over his brother’s death.

“Further questioning revealed that he had travelled all the way from Anambra to Oyo State to carry out a revenge killing,” he said.

He added that the suspect had been arrested and was undergoing investigation to establish his connections and determine the extent of his alleged activities.

“All thanks to God and the good effort of the men of the Safer Highway, he was intercepted, arrested, and is currently undergoing investigation to know his connections and how wide it is,” Olayinka said.

Suspect Recounts Brother’s Death

During an interview following his arrest, Odo said the incident stemmed from the death of his brother in 2021, when he was working in Benue State.

He explained that his brother was schooling in Nsukka, Enugu State, when he received information that someone had killed him.

“It was in 2021. I was working in Benue State, so I had information that my brother, who was in school in Nsukka, had just died in the school, that somebody killed him in the school,” he said.

Odo added that his mother died a few weeks after his brother’s death.

He said he subsequently received information that the person allegedly responsible for his brother’s death was living in a southwestern state.

“So, last month, I had information that the boy is living in a state, a Yoruba state. So, I said okay, I will find out that place where he is living,” the suspect said.

He explained that he was travelling from Nsukka towards Oyo State when police operatives intercepted and arrested him.

When questioned about whether he knew the exact location of the person he intended to confront, Odo initially said he did not know the particular state but confirmed that he was heading to Oyo State.

“The information is with me,” he said, suggesting that he had information that could help him locate the individual.

Suspect Says He Bought Pistol for ₦20,000
When questioned about the firearm recovered from him, Odo said he purchased the pistol from a friend for ₦20,000.

“I bought it from my friend,” he said.
Asked what his friend did with firearms, the suspect said the individual might be a hunter.

“I don’t know, maybe he’s a hunter. A hunter who kills with pistol? Yes, he has this one and long, so he was the one that sell this one for me, 20,000,” he said.

Suspect Confirms Membership of Vikings Confraternity

During the interview, Odo was also questioned about reports that his deceased brother belonged to a cult group.

He said he could not confirm whether his brother was a member.

“Maybe he belongs, maybe he did not belong, because I was not there with him,” he said.

However, when asked whether he belonged to a cult group himself, the suspect answered in the affirmative and identified the group as Vikings.

The police said investigations were ongoing to establish the suspect’s connections and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged planned revenge killing.

 

Continue Reading

Crime

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure

Published

on

Police Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Taraba After Sustained Pressure
The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed the rescue of three kidnapped victims in Taraba State following sustained pressure mounted by its rescue teams.

The victims were identified as Otuwe Torhumba, 37; Kenneth Nyiutse, 35; and Michael Emmanuel, 27.

The Force made the disclosure on Saturday, October 3, 2026, in its 24-hour operational update covering security operations recorded across the country on October 2.

ALSO READ: 2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Preparations, Warns Against Political Violence

According to the Police, “Due to sustained pressure by Police rescue teams, three of five kidnapped victims — Otuwe Torhumba (37), Kenneth Nyiutse (35) and Michael Emmanuel (27) — were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.”

The Police said the three victims were rescued unharmed and subsequently reunited with their families.

The Force did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or the whereabouts of the remaining two victims in the operational summary.

The case is currently being investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Jalingo.

The rescue was among several operational successes recorded by the Nigeria Police Force during the reporting period.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x