Crime
Court Adjourns Senator Andy Uba’s ₦400m Fraud
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the fraud case against Senator Andy Uba to March 17, following the filing of an amended charge by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on March 4.
The court deferred proceedings after learning that the defendants had not yet been served with the new charge.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) had amended the two-count charge against Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (who remains at large), over allegations of obtaining ₦400 million by false pretenses.
READ MORE: LeBron James, Andy Murray Retire After Paris Olympics
During the hearing, Lukeman Anthony Esq., representing the prosecution, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for arraignment but acknowledged that the amended charge had not been served on the accused persons.
Justice Inyang Ekwo questioned the prosecution on when the amendment was filed and whether the defendants had received copies of the charge.
Upon learning they had not, the judge ordered the prosecution to ensure service on the first and second defendants within seven days before the next hearing date.
According to the charge, Senator Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima allegedly conspired to defraud George Uboh by falsely claiming they could facilitate his appointment as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in exchange for ₦400 million.
The charge reads in part:
“That you, Andy Uba, Benjamin Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (now at large), sometime in 2022, within the jurisdiction of this court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: obtaining by false pretence by making a presentation to George Uboh that you have perfected a way to an appointment of the Managing Directorship of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to any interested person who can afford the sum of ₦400,000,000 (Four Hundred Million Naira only), a presentation which you know is not true, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.”
The second count alleges that after receiving the payment, the accused failed to fulfill their promise, thereby committing an offence under Sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, over his alleged involvement in a N33.8 billion fraud linked to power sector projects in Nigeria.
The arrest comes months after Mamman was convicted in absentia on multiple counts bordering on the alleged diversion of public funds meant for critical electricity infrastructure, including the Mambilla Power Project and other national power initiatives.
SEE ALSO: JUST IN: Court Remands Buhari’s Power Minister, Mamman In Kuje Prison
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, confirmed that the former minister was apprehended at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the Rigasa area of Kaduna State following weeks of intelligence-led surveillance operations.
According to him, Mamman had evaded arrest since his conviction and sentencing, prompting a sustained nationwide search by EFCC operatives.
He said the arrest represents a major breakthrough in the commission’s efforts to ensure that all individuals found guilty of financial crimes are brought to justice, regardless of their status or influence.
Two suspects arrested for allegedly harbouring ex-minister
The EFCC also disclosed that two other individuals were arrested during the operation for allegedly assisting and providing shelter to the former minister while he was on the run.
Investigators are currently questioning the suspects to determine the extent of their involvement in aiding a convicted fugitive.
Properties and assets under investigation
The anti-graft agency further revealed that it has identified additional properties suspected to be linked to Mamman, adding that asset recovery processes are already underway.
EFCC boss Olukoyede noted that the case has exposed weaknesses in monitoring high-profile corruption trials, adding that reforms would be introduced to prevent similar lapses in future cases.
Prosecutor confirms enforcement of court order
The Director of Public Prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), said the arrest marks the enforcement of a court judgment, stating that Mamman’s conviction and sentence are now being fully implemented following his capture.
He added that the next step would be the ex-minister’s transfer to a correctional facility in line with legal procedures.
Bizteller recalls that Saleh Mamman was convicted over allegations of diverting funds allocated for major power projects, including the Mambilla hydroelectric scheme, one of Nigeria’s largest and most strategic energy investments.
The EFCC says the arrest underscores its commitment to tackling corruption and recovering stolen public funds across the country.
Operatives of the Kebbi State Hisbah Board, an agency under the state Ministry of Religious Affairs, have arrested a man allegedly found hiding inside a “Ghana Must-Go” bag at the residence of a married woman in the Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi.)
The Director of Sharia at the board, Sirajo Kamba, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Kamba, residents of the community alerted the Hisbah Board around 12:15 a.m. on Monday, May 18, after noticing a man entering the woman’s residence under suspicious circumstances.
SEE ALSO: Gov Buni Hints On Establishing Hisbah Police In Yobe
He explained that the residents suspected the pair were involved in an illicit relationship considered contrary to Islamic teachings and therefore decided to formally notify the authorities.
“Upon receiving the report, the Kebbi Hisbah Board swiftly deployed officers to investigate the matter,” Kamba said.
He disclosed that when officers arrived at the residence and requested permission to search the premises, the married woman initially denied that anyone else was inside the house.
Kamba, however, noted that the woman later allowed the operatives to conduct a thorough search, which led to the discovery of the suspect allegedly concealed inside a large “Ghana Must-Go” bag.
Further investigations, according to the Hisbah official, revealed that the suspect allegedly had a romantic relationship with the married woman.
He added that both suspects allegedly admitted to the claims during interrogation and would be arraigned before a Sharia court to face legal proceedings under Islamic law.
The incident has since sparked reactions among residents, many expressing shock over the unusual manner in which the suspect was allegedly hidden inside the bag.
Meanwhile, the development comes days after the Kano State Hisbah Board arrested two women and a 35-year-old fish seller over an alleged attempt to engage in immoral acts in the state.
The Director of Public Enlightenment of the Kano State Hisbah Board, Auwalu Sheshe, had disclosed in a statement that operatives found the fish seller, identified as Ali Abubakar from the Kano Cooperative area, alongside his female companion, Fatima Abubakar, a 28-year-old woman from the Niger Republic, inside a room allegedly preparing to engage in immoral conduct.
Former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has strongly denied allegations that his properties are proceeds of crime, as he challenges the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court over an interim forfeiture order.
Malami, in a sworn affidavit before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, maintained that all assets linked to him were lawfully acquired through years of legal practice, business investments, loans, and other legitimate sources of income.
He faulted the EFCC’s position, insisting that the agency failed to present credible evidence connecting any of the properties to unlawful activity.
SEE MORE: Court Pushes Malami, Son’s Terrorism Financing Trial to April 15
According to him, the claims were based on speculation rather than facts.
“There is no document before the court showing these properties were acquired with proceeds of crime,” he argued.
The former Minister of Justice also accused the anti-graft agency of inflating the value of his assets, alleging that properties worth hundreds of millions of naira were wrongly presented as being worth billions.
He further stated that independent valuations had shown significantly lower and more accurate figures.
Malami explained that his wealth was accumulated over decades through legal practice, investments in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education, as well as loans from commercial banks, asset sales, and earnings from book-related activities.
He added that all his income had been duly declared to relevant government agencies.
He also alleged procedural violations, claiming that operatives of the EFCC acted outside their legal authority by seizing properties and evicting occupants without a final forfeiture order.
The EFCC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, had earlier obtained an interim forfeiture order over the assets, linking them to suspected proceeds of unlawful activities.
However, Malami is urging the court to dismiss the order and restore his properties.
Outrage as Police Officer Who Threatened Nigerians Over Recording Breaks Silence
Cubana Chief Priest Explains Why He Dumped Peter Obi for Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Fresh Crisis Hits APC as Senators, Aspirants Reject Primary Results Across 9 States
Singer Niniola Announces Death of Husband
N33.8bn Power Fraud: EFCC Nabs Ex-Minister Saleh Mamman After Months on the Run
Plateau 2027: “I’m Not in the Race to Fill Numbers” — Bida Declares War on Mutfwang
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
You could certainly see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
I?¦ll immediately clutch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow me understand in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
Whats Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help different customers like its aided me. Good job.
I have been browsing online more than three hours these days, but I never discovered any fascinating article like yours. It¦s pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.
Just wanna input on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the content is rattling excellent. “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” by Barry LePatner.
It’s actually a cool and useful piece of info. I’m happy that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Really nice pattern and superb subject material, nothing else we need : D.
Hey There. I found your blog the usage of msn. This is a really well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read extra of your helpful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i’m happy to convey that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out just what I needed. I such a lot for sure will make certain to don’t disregard this website and give it a glance on a continuing basis.
Thanks, I have just been searching for info about this subject for a while and yours is the greatest I have found out so far. But, what concerning the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
I am not rattling excellent with English but I line up this very easygoing to read .
You have mentioned very interesting details! ps decent web site. “We simply rob ourselves when we make presents to the dead.” by Publilius Syrus.
Spot on with this write-up, I really suppose this website needs way more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read far more, thanks for that info.