Connect with us

NEWS

Court Clears Sen. Rochas Okorocha Of Corruption Charges

Published

on

 

Senator Rochas Okorocha has been discharged by Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from corruption charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

 

This marks the third time that Okorocha has been acquitted by courts regarding allegations of fraud and corruption during his tenure as the governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2019.

 

On Friday, Justice Halilu dismissed the charges against the former governor, stating that they constituted an abuse of court processes by the anti-graft agency.

 

The court emphasized that it was inappropriate for the EFCC to repeatedly file similar charges against a defendant in different courts, especially when a competent court had already made a decision on the matter.

 

It is worth noting that in a previous judgment in 2021, Justice Stephen Pam of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt declared the EFCC charge against Okorocha illegal, unlawful, null, and void, as it was based on an investigation deemed invalid.

 

Following the previous ruling, the judge specifically prohibited the EFCC from further prosecuting the former governor for any alleged offenses related to the aforementioned investigation.

 

However, on May 24, 2022, the commission arrested Okorocha after a siege lasting over six hours at his residence in Abuja.

 

Subsequently, Okorocha and six others were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accused of embezzling N2.9 billion belonging to the Government of Imo State.

 

Nonetheless, on February 6, Justice Inyang Ekwo delivered a ruling in which he struck out the charges against Okorocha and the others.

 

The charges were dismissed for contravening Section 105 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which grants the Attorney-General of the Federation the authority to recall a case.

 

Justice Ekwo maintained that the directive issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation in a letter dated September 12, 2022, instructing the EFCC to submit the case file with its comments for consideration and review, was binding on the commission.

 

The court concurred with Okorocha’s argument that the previous judgment from a court of equal jurisdiction in Port Harcourt, in a case numbered FHC/PH/FHR/165 between Okorocha and the EFCC, still stands. This judgment had restrained the agency from further pursuing the alleged offense.

 

However, dissatisfied with this outcome, the EFCC approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and initiated a fresh set of charges against the former governor.

 

In response, Okorocha, represented by his lawyer Chief Ola Olanipekun, SAN, raised a challenge against the competence of the charges through an application, asserting that they constituted an abuse of court processes.

 

On Friday, Justice Halilu delivered a ruling on the application, stating that it was inappropriate for the EFCC to file a case that had already been decided upon by a court of equal jurisdiction.

 

This was particularly significant since there was a court order preventing the anti-graft agency from prosecuting Okorocha based on an invalidated investigation.

 

The judge emphasized that the commission’s action of pursuing the same case in three different courts amounted to nothing less than an abuse of court processes.

 

Justice Halilu acknowledged that the EFCC, as an entity established by law, possesses broad investigatory and prosecutorial powers.

 

However, the judge emphasized the importance of the commission operating within the boundaries of the law, stating that the EFCC must demonstrate respect for the legal framework it operates under.

 

The court took into account the available evidence, which indicated that a Federal High Court had previously acquitted Okorocha of fraud and corruption charges filed by the EFCC in 2021.

 

While acknowledging that the commission acted correctly by appealing the judgment, Justice Halilu highlighted that it was inappropriate for the EFCC to approach another court of equal jurisdiction and file similar charges against Okorocha.

 

In addition to emphasizing that nobody or agency is exempt from the law, the court offered advice to the anti-graft agency, cautioning them to recognize the importance of bringing an end to litigation.

 

The court stated that when a case of abuse of court processes is established, the appropriate action is to dismiss the charges.

 

The court held “Once a case of abuse of court processes is established, the best thing to do is to dismiss the charge; the first defendant is hereby discharged.”

1 Comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Thời Tiết Bắc Ninh
10 months ago

469118 857282It can be difficult to write about this subject. I feel you did a great job though! Thanks for this! 620111

NEWS

Dangote Preaches Ambition, Africa First to Nigerian Creatives

Published

on

President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs and creative industry practitioners to think beyond conventional limits, build globally competitive enterprises and create enduring legacies, declaring that Africa must take responsibility for its own economic transformation rather than depend on foreign investors for prosperity.

Dangote gave the charge while hosting leading figures from Nigeria’s creative industry at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he also disclosed that the Group was considering raising its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target in response to its expanding industrial investments and growth ambitions. The delegation, comprising Nollywood stars, content creators, comedians and other entertainment and lifestyle personalities, toured the industrial complex before engaging Dangote in a conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, ambition, and legacy.

Addressing the creatives, Dangote urged Nigerians to match their creativity and entrepreneurial drive with discipline, perseverance and the courage to pursue ambitious projects, stressing that lasting success should be measured not merely by personal wealth but by the businesses built, opportunities created and contributions made to society.

“It is not just about money; it is about legacy. We have often been taken for granted, and in many ways, we have contributed to that by waiting for foreigners to come and make our continent prosperous. That will never happen. We must take responsibility for building Africa’s prosperity ourselves,” he declared.

READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially

Speaking on the Group’s long-term ambitions, Dangote revealed that its US$100 billion Vision 2030 target was being reconsidered, with a more ambitious target expected to be unveiled in January.

“We realised that our Vision 2030 target was too modest. We are working towards unveiling a new vision in January, with a revised target that reflects our ambition to achieve far more than US$100 billion,” he said.

He explained that the Group’s continued industrial expansion was driven by a determination to build enduring institutions, strengthen Africa’s productive capacity and demonstrate that the continent could develop enterprises capable of competing globally. Drawing lessons from Singapore’s economic transformation, Dangote said nations could overcome difficult beginnings through deliberate investment, enterprise and a commitment to developing their own capabilities. He challenged Nigerian entrepreneurs to reject limiting assumptions about what could be achieved, noting that transformative accomplishments often required the courage to pursue ideas others considered impossible.

Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the development of the refinery, Dangote identified perseverance, disciplined execution and sound judgement as essential ingredients of business success. He cautioned, however, that ambition must be tempered by the ability to recognise when an investment was no longer commercially viable.

“Before embarking on any venture, you must carefully consider all the issues involved. We have made mistakes too, and I share these experiences so others can learn from them,” he said. “One important lesson is never to keep putting good money into a bad investment. Some situations are simply too difficult to turn around, no matter how much you invest.”

Turning to the creative industry, Dangote commended Nigerian entertainers for building a formidable international presence despite operating in a challenging business environment and receiving limited government support. He described Nollywood’s growing global influence as evidence of Nigeria’s creative potential, urging practitioners to build on their achievements through stronger business structures, innovation and collaboration. According to him, the industry’s next phase of growth should go beyond international recognition to building sustainable enterprises, creating employment and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global creative economy.

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), who moderated the interactive session, praised Dangote’s accomplishments, describing his industrial investments as an enduring contribution to Nigeria’s development.

“Your legacy has already been built, and its continuation is assured. You deserve all the praise and recognition you have received for what you have accomplished,” RMD said.

Nollywood actor Abdullateef Adedimeji described the visit as an inspiration, saying the scale of the refinery had challenged him to raise his ambitions and pursue greater accomplishments in the creative industry.

“Coming here today is a source of motivation for us. As someone in the film industry, this experience inspires me to push beyond my limits, broaden my imagination and strive for greater achievements, including making a more meaningful impact in my community,” he said.

Adedimeji also called for greater collaboration among Nollywood practitioners, drawing lessons from the coordination and partnerships underpinning Dangote’s industrial operations.

“That is what we need in Nollywood. The more we collaborate, the stronger and more successful we become,” he said.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Protest Against Oil Company’s Vessel in Rivers Takes 10 Lives

Published

on

No fewer than 10 people are feared dead after a protest against a vessel belonging to an indigenous oil company turned tragic at Kula community in Rivers State, following an alleged collision involving a community boat and a Nigerian Army gunboat.

The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning when members of the community took to the water in a boat to protest against the oil company’s vessel.

A community leader, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, disclosed this in a telephone interview with journalists in Port Harcourt.

Sara-Igbe, a former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), alleged that a gunboat belonging to the Nigerian Army hit the protesters’ boat, causing some of its occupants to drown.

READ ALSO: Renaissance, Sterling Bank Back Indigenous Oil and Gas Contractors Financially

He said efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of those who drowned during the incident.

The circumstances that led to the protest, the identities of the victims and the precise sequence of events surrounding the alleged collision were not immediately clear.

The Nigerian Army’s response to the allegation was also not immediately available as of the time of filing this report.

Continue Reading

NEWS

FRSC Warns Drivers After Brake Failure Kills Two in Kano Crash

Published

on

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kano Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons in a road crash involving a fully loaded tipper truck and a Mercedes-Benz car along the Kano-Zaria Road at Dangi Underpass.

The fatal crash occurred on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and involved a Howo tipper truck with registration number RMG 332 XA, loaded with bitumen, and a Mercedes-Benz C180 with registration number ABJ 783 GB.

According to a statement signed by the FRSC Kano Sector Public Education Officer, Abdullahi Labaran, four male adults were involved in the crash, with two confirmed dead.

SEE ALSO: DPRP’s Free Fuel Delivery Expands to Kano, Imo, Nearly 10 More States

Preliminary reports indicated that the crash was caused by brake failure in the loaded tipper truck, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.

The truck reportedly slid backwards and collided with the Mercedes-Benz behind it, leading to the fatal incident.

FRSC rescue personnel and other emergency responders evacuated the victims to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, the Kano Sector Commander, Corps Commander Idris Mohammed Lawal, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of their souls.

Lawal also urged the affected families to find the strength to bear the loss.

The Sector Commander warned motorists, transport unions, construction companies and fleet operators against neglecting regular vehicle maintenance, particularly the inspection and servicing of critical components such as braking systems and tyres.

He emphasised the importance of defensive driving, urging motorists to maintain safe following distances, remain alert to changing road conditions and ensure their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on journeys.

Lawal stressed that regular vehicle maintenance, responsible driving and strict compliance with road safety regulations remain essential to preventing avoidable road crashes and saving lives.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x