Crime
N500bn Looting: Court Bars Ex-Gov Ikpeazu’s Aide, Four Others From Traveling
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo, Abuja, has ordered a former aide to ex-Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and current Abia State lawmaker, Erondu Uchenna, along with two others, to surrender their travel documents within 48 hours.
This comes amidst allegations of misappropriating over N500 billion allocated to the 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Abia State between May 2019 and May 2023.
The order, issued by Justice Kawu, follows an ex-parte application filed by Chidiebere Ojukwu, a concerned Abia indigene, who accused Uchenna and others of looting funds meant for grassroots development.
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Also named in the suit are Rt. Hon. Prince Christopher Enweremadu, Deaconess Joy Nwanju, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In addition to restricting their international travel, the court directed Uchenna, Enweremadu, and Nwanju to submit detailed financial disclosures, including:
Business Interests:
A list of companies where they hold directorial roles, alongside Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) forms, Memoranda, and Articles of Association.
Tax and Financial Records:
Evidence of annual tax returns filed with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and CAC since 2019, as well as audited financial statements.
Asset Declarations:
Lists of personal and corporate bank accounts (domestic and foreign), and movable and immovable properties both in Nigeria and abroad.
The defendants are required to comply with these directives within 48 hours of being served.
Reliefs Sought by the Claimant
The claimant, Ojukwu, is seeking a series of court orders, including:
“Accountability for Funds: “A declaration that in view of Section 7 of the amended 1999 Constitution, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants are personally liable to refund to the coffers of the Government of Abia State the total sum of money due to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from 29th May, 2019, to 29th May, 2023, and received from the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund (in excess of Five Hundred Billion Naira).”
“Prosecution by the EFCC: “An order of the Court directing the 4th Defendant (EFCC) to forthwith prosecute the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants in relation to the roles each and every one of them played relating to the funds belonging to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State.”
Recovery of Funds: “An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants to return forthwith into the treasury of Abia State of Nigeria all the monies due to the 17 Local Governments of Abia State from 29th May, 2019, to 29th May, 2023, and received from the Federation Account/Consolidated Revenue Fund.”
Justice Kawu adjourned the hearing to December 9, 2024, to allow the claimant to serve the EFCC and for all parties to prepare for the Motion on Notice.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire businessman Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged abuse of the naira, following a viral video that sparked public outrage.
The clip, which surfaced days ago, allegedly showed the Okoya brothers engaging in activities considered an “abuse” of the Nigerian currency.
In response, the EFCC has invited the duo to appear before the Special Operations team at the agency’s Lagos office on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Michael Wetkas, the acting director of the EFCC’s Lagos Directorate, signed the invitation, stating the need for further interrogation regarding the incident.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has already identified and detained a police officer featured in the viral video.
Social media has been abuzz with criticism over the perceived delay in action against the brothers.
Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju expressed his frustration in a Facebook post on Saturday, saying, “The Okoya sons are above the law. A country of two laws — one for the poor and the other for the rich.”
The case has reignited debates on inequality in Nigeria, with many calling for equal application of the law.
The EFCC recently launched investigations into other cases of financial misconduct across the country.
Public campaigns against currency abuse have intensified, with authorities urging citizens to respect the naira as a national symbol.
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned Stella Nwadigbo, female, aged 45, on charges of indecent treatment and assault of a child.
This was revealed in a statement on its verified handle of micro-blogging site, X, on Thursday afternoon.
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The statement reads, “The suspect, who was arraigned in Magistrate Court 1, Ogba today, January 9, 2025, had been captured in a viral video indecently treating and assaulting a three-year-old pupil of a primary school in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
“Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters same day after preliminary investigations. The victim was taken to a medical facility for adequate medical attention.
“The suspect has since been remanded to Kirikiri Correctional facility till February 18, 2025 when the case comes up for continuation of hearing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, psc(+), mnips, while commending Nigerians for promptly alerting the police to the situation, assures them of the ever-readiness of the Command to respond quickly and appropriately to situations towards ensuring the safety and security of resident and visitors to Lagos State.”
The continuing efforts to sweep the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), clean of corrupt tendencies, have seen officers of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Commission, being detained for investigation of some missing items.
This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Wednesday.
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Biztellers reports that the officers, who were arrested last week on the directives of the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede are answering questions related to the theft of some operational items that they could not account for.
It was gathered that investigators are making good progress and those found culpable will be subjected to internal disciplinary processes.
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betist yeni adres
December 7, 2024 at 3:23 am
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