NEWS
Court sanctions ‘sureties’ over disappearance of fraud suspects in kwara
Two governmental employees were disciplined by the Kwara State High Court for the disappearance of three suspects who were being tried.
They are Adenigba M. Olushola, a member of the State Judicial Service Commission staff, and Bisiriyu Abdulfatai, a member of the SUBEB personnel.
They served as sureties for three individuals under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin’s Zonal Command for offenses related to internet fraud.
They incurred the wrath of the law for their failure to produce the three suspects for trial.
Adenigba stood as surety for one Amaechi Umenye and Adeyemi Adedeji, while Bisiriyu stood for Dawodu Olusoji.
The two civil servants had made an undertaking to produce the defendants who are now at large each time they were needed by the anti-graft agency.
The trio of Amaechi, Adeyemi and Dawodu were amongst the thirty suspected internet fraudsters arrested in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of the State sometime in 2020, while acting on an anonymous petition received by the EFCC on activities of the scammers, popularly known as Yahoo Boys, in the area.
As investigations progressed in the matter, both Adenigba and Bisiriyu wrote separate bail applications to the Ilorin Zonal Commander of the EFCC, entered bail bonds and promised to produce the defendants anytime their attention was needed.
The suspects after their release, jumped the administrative bail granted them by the commission, while the sureties also could not produce them.
Consequently, the Commission approached Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court for the sureties to show cause why the bail bond should not be forfeited or the sureties be committed to prison.
In his judgement on the applications on Thursday, Justice Akinpelu endorsed the argument made by Sesan Ola and Andrew Akoja, attorneys for the EFCC, that the two Kwara Civil Servants should lose their bail bond.
READ ALSO: One year without a monarch, Kwara community cries out to Abdulrahman
The court mandated that Adenigba, Amaechi’s surety, lose the N5 million recognizance and refund N4.5 million thereupon, but also pay N500,000 within three months or face a six-month jail sentence if he did not.
In Adeyemi’s case, the trial judge ruled that Adenigba must forfeit a N1 million recognizance and pay N750,000 on it, but he must also pay N250,000 within three months or risk being jailed for five months if he doesn’t.
For Bisiriyu, who served as Dawodu’s surety, Justice Akinpelu imposed forfeiture of the N3 million recognizance and remittance of the N2 million thereon as well as payment of N1 million within three months or, in the event of nonpayment, six months in jail.
The entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
ALSO READ: Edo Women Protest Against Natasha Over Akpabio
In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Court Of Appeal Orders Retrial In Kano Emirate Dispute
Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Rivers Chief Judge Under Probe For Alleged Age Falsification
The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
Ohanivo Upbeat As Sen Umahi Emerges Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Minister Of The Year
I Need Help, I’ve Gone Back To Being A Boy – James Brown
Kano Gov’t Clarifies Appeal Court Ruling On Emirship Dispute
Niger Delta Youths Threaten Oil Shutdown Over Rivers Crisis
Edo Women Protest Against Natasha Over Akpabio
