Crime
Court Adjourns Ruling On Sowore’s Bail Application
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the ruling on the bail application of former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, to Thursday, January 30 2025.
Sowore, who is facing 17 counts of cybercrime charges filed by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him in court.
The charges stem from a tweet posted on his verified X handle, ‘Omoyele Sowore’, in which he referred to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as an “illegal IGP.”
The police argue that the statement is false and capable of inciting public disorder.
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Justice Musa Liman, who presided over the hearing, initially scheduled the bail ruling for 3 p.m. today but later stood down the matter before adjourning.
During the hearing, Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, urged the court to grant his client bail on the most lenient terms possible.
“We have a motion on notice filed today, January 29, 2025,” Abubakar told the court. “I ask your lordship to release the applicant on bail in the most liberal terms pending the trial. The applicant has also filed a 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Sunday Agabi, and we rely on the arguments within. We urge your lordship to grant our application.”
Abubakar further argued that the court has discretionary powers to grant bail, regardless of the prosecution’s objections.
However, the prosecution counsel, Udey Jonathan, opposed the application, urging the court to deny bail or impose stringent conditions if granted.
“My lord, a counter-affidavit deposed to by one Friday Ameh, a police intelligence officer, has been filed against the bail application,” Jonathan said.
He emphasized that bail should not be granted lightly, arguing that if the court decides to release Sowore, he should be required to surrender his international passport to ensure his presence at trial.
“Bail cannot be handed out like candy; it should not be granted in vacuo,” Jonathan insisted.
After considering the arguments from both sides, Justice Liman adjourned the ruling to Thursday at 1 p.m. Until then, Sowore will remain in police custody.
Crime
Court Backs Diezani’s Request To Amend Lawsuit Over EFCC’s Asset Forfeiture
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Former Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke has been granted permission by the Federal High Court in Abuja to amend her suit challenging the final forfeiture of her assets by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court decision follows a motion filed by Alison-Madueke’s lawyer, Godwin Inyinbor, which was unopposed by the EFCC’s counsel, Divine Oguru.
Inyinbor informed the court that the motion had been duly filed and served, with no objections from the EFCC.
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Justice Inyang Ekwo then granted the request, allowing the former minister to amend her originating process.
Alison-Madueke has been given five days to file and serve the amended documents, while the EFCC has 14 days from the date of service to respond.
The case has been adjourned until March 17, 2025, for further mention.
Alison-Madueke’s legal battle revolves around the EFCC’s move to sell assets linked to her, which the commission claims were proceeds of criminal activities.
In her application, filed on January 6, 2023, the ex-minister challenged the validity of court orders issued for the forfeiture of her assets, asserting that they were made without proper jurisdiction and violated her constitutional rights.
“The various court orders issued in favour of the respondent and upon which the respondent issued the public notice were issued in breach of the applicant’s right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as altered, and other similar constitutional provisions,” Alison-Madueke argued in her motion.
She further claimed that she had never been served with the charge sheet or summons related to the criminal charges against her.
Alison-Madueke also accused the courts of being misled into issuing the forfeiture orders, which she said were based on “gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment, and suppression of material facts.”
“The court has the power to set aside same ex debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all,” she added.
In its counter-response, the EFCC rejected Alison-Madueke’s claims. Rufus Zaki, an EFCC operative, deposed that the former minister was involved in a criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and official corruption.
Zaki argued that the final forfeiture orders had been lawfully made in 2017 and had not been overturned on appeal.
“The final forfeiture of the assets, which were subject to the present application, was ordered by the court in 2017 and that this was not set aside or upturned on appeal,” Zaki stated in his affidavit.
The EFCC further explained that the forfeiture proceedings followed due process, including the publication of a notice inviting parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
In January 2023, the EFCC began plans for a public sale of assets, including properties believed to be linked to Alison-Madueke.
The commission has recovered over $153 million and more than 80 properties in connection with the ex-minister’s case.
Alison-Madueke, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2010 to 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, is said to have fled to the United Kingdom after her tenure in office.
In addition to her current case regarding the forfeiture of assets, she has also filed a separate suit against the EFCC, seeking N100 billion in damages for alleged defamatory publications.
The case is scheduled to resume on March 17, 2025, for further consideration.
Crime
Kogi NSCDC Deputy Commandant Arrested Over Alleged ₦3bn Fraud
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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested a Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kogi State, Adam Imam Yusuf, over an alleged ₦3 billion fraud.
In a statement released on its website, ICPC confirmed Yusuf’s arrest at his residence in Gwagwalada, Abuja, after he had been on the run.
The commission stated that he is now in custody and will face prosecution.
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“Yusuf, who was at large until now, was taken into custody from his Gwagwalada, Abuja residence and is set to face prosecution,” the statement read.
ICPC alleged that Yusuf conspired with a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), and a former Brigadier General, Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.), to orchestrate the fraud.
“ICPC investigations revealed that former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin (rtd.), allegedly orchestrated the fraud through Yusuf and former Brigadier General Ishaya Bauka Gangum (rtd.).
“The alleged scheme reportedly involved the diversion of public funds using 92 fictitious companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC),” ICPC stated.
According to the commission, investigations traced the misappropriated funds to companies including Lahab Integrated and Gate Coast Properties, which were allegedly used to acquire at least 18 properties, including filling stations.
It further disclosed that four of the properties have already been forfeited to the government, while legal proceedings continue over the remaining assets.
The ICPC also stated that efforts are underway to apprehend other suspects who remain at large.
Crime
How NVIS Aided Recovery Of 73 Stolen Vehicles In 2024 – FRSC
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Intelligence driven operations powered by the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) was pivotal in the recovery of 73 stolen vehicles in Nigeria in 2024.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) made the revelation in a statement in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to its spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the feat was attained in collaboration with other security agencies, relying on data at the NVIS Portal.
The details on the NVIS Portal made it possible, Ogungbemide explained, for the stolen vehicles to be intercepted at the point of registration, thereby frustrating the efforts of the criminals at integrating them into the system.
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Ogungbemide wrote, “The 73 stolen vehicles recovered include 4 Toyota Highlanders, 1 Toyota Lexus, 21 Toyota Corollas, 17 Toyota Camrys, 6 Toyota Siennas, 6 Lexus 350s, 3 Lexus ES350s, 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 Toyota RAV4, 1 Toyota Celica, 1 Toyota Venza, 1 Suzuki Bus, 1 Honda Pilot, 1 Honda Ace, 2 Honda Accords, 1 Daihatsu, 1 Mercedes-Benz, 1 Man Truck, 1 Pontiac Vibe, and 2 Qlink Motorcycles.”
The statement also mentioned that Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended FRSC personnel for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring road safety and security.
He emphasised the importance of accurate vehicle registration details, stating that proper documentation plays a crucial role in intelligence gathering and vehicle recovery.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to making Nigerian roads safer while urging the public to support efforts in crime prevention and road safety management.