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Sokoto Ex-Governor Accused Of N4.6bn Diversion

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In the ongoing trial of ex-Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, a second prosecution witness, Kassim Yusuf, informed Justice Yusuf Halilu in the FCT High Court on Tuesday that Bafarawa allegedly misappropriated N4.6 billion designated as security funds from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki.

As per a statement from Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bafarawa is facing prosecution on amended 25-count charges, including criminal breach of trust and diverting public funds totaling N4.6 billion.

Additional defendants in the case include Bashir Yuguda, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Dalhatu Investment Limited, and Sagir Attahiru.

During the trial, Yusuf, an EFCC officer, testified under the guidance of prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

He stated that the N4.6 billion security funds from Colonel Dasuki’s ONSA office, received by Dalhatu Investment Limited, were purportedly diverted for various purposes which includes financing Sokoto State residents’ Muslim pilgrimages, supporting Bafarawa’s 2015 presidential bid, settling overseas mortgages, and acquiring luxury vehicles like Lexus, Toyota Hilux pickups, and 16 Peugeot 206 cars for PDP local government chairmen in the state.

The PW2 further revealed that N1bn was given out from the sum to about 10 Bureau De Change, BDC operators for conversion to dollars. “About 10 BDCs said Dalhatu Investment Limited sent somebody to collect the money and about N800 million was transferred to Dalhatu Investment Ltd’s domiciliary account to be converted to dollars. Funds were paid to a company called Development Strategy International Ltd.

“The directors of the company are Islam Wali and Muhammad Wali who are cousins to Ambassador Abdullahi Wali,” he said.

The witness added that Ambassador Abdullahi Wali allegedly received N558 million from Dalhatu Investment Ltd, funds released by Bafarawa for his 2015 Sokoto State gubernatorial aspiration.

He said “The Lexus that was purchased was bought by Dalhatu Investment for Abdullahi Wali’s election. Muazu Madawaki who received N322million was also invited. He told the investigation team that the money was for payment for Umra and Hajj allowances, hotel accommodation and flight tickets for some Sokoto State pilgrims.

“Ahmed Yahya received N327million and when he was invited he said the money was for political activities. He is the personal assistant to Bafarawa. Ibrahim Maigana received N111million from Dalhatu Investment for political activities in Sokoto State.

“He was the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at that time. One Musa Soba received N85million on behalf of nine aspirants in the state for the House of Representatives.”

Additionally, the witness informed the court that Muhammad Gambol supplied the Toyota Hilux pickups and 16 Peugeot 206 vehicles for Ambassador Wali’s political campaigns.

He said “I recovered about 14 of those PDP local government chairmen’s cars. One Amanze Obi received the sum of N15.3million for political publicity for Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa Presidential campaign. About £123,000 (One Hundred and Twenty-three Thousand Pounds) were transferred to the United Kingdom to offset a mortgage for Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

“We wrote back to the National Security Adviser, Major General Muhammad Mungonu and he confirmed that the monies were simply diverted without.”

Following the witness’s testimony, Justice Halilu adjourned the proceedings until April 14, 2024, for the trial to resume.

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Justice at Last: Boko Haram Member Sentenced to Death for 2015 Maiduguri Terror Attack

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.

Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Yarima guilty of participating in acts of terrorism that led to the deadly attacks.

The court also imposed multiple prison terms on the convict for other terrorism-related offences.

SEE ALSO: MNJTF Commander Pledges End to Boko Haram Insurgency in Borno

Aside from the death sentence on count seven, the court sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out terrorist activities.

Justice Omotosho also handed him 35 years imprisonment on count one for professing membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group, and 30 years imprisonment on count five.

In addition, the court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment each on counts two, three and four.

The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

According to the prosecution, Yarima, who hails from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, belonged to Boko Haram between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest.

He was also accused of accepting the teachings (Da’awah) of the sect’s late founder, Mohammed Yusuf, and remaining a member of the terrorist organisation despite its proscription.

The prosecution further told the court that Yarima travelled to an Arab country where he received training in arms and weapon handling in preparation for terrorist operations, an offence punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

He was also found guilty of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, an offence that attracted the death penalty under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.

The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in Nigeria.

“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi said.

 

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Again, Dangote Reduces PMS Gantry Price to N1,125/Litre

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP) has announced a further reduction in the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from N1,175 to N1,125 per litre.

A statement from the company on Thursday has it that this latest adjustment reflects the refinery’s ongoing commitment to ensuring price stability, improving affordability, and supporting Nigeria’s energy security objectives.

ALSO READ: NBS: Kerosene Price Dips as Diesel, Petrol Costs Rise

The price review underscores Dangote Refinery’s responsiveness to prevailing market conditions and its efforts to pass on cost efficiencies to downstream partners and consumers.

“Dangote Refinery remains focused on its broader mission of contributing to economic growth, enhancing fuel availability, and fostering a more competitive and sustainable petroleum sector in Nigeria,” the statement added.

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Why SEC Ordered Immediate Refunds Over Dangote Refinery IPO Promotions

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The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has explained why it directed capital market operators to immediately refund funds collected from investors in connection with a purported Initial Public Offering (IPO) by Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.

In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the Commission revealed that it had observed the circulation of advertisements, flyers, digital banners, and electronic messages across social media and investment platforms inviting members of the public to invest in the refinery through an alleged IPO.

ALSO READ: ‘Nigerian Marketers Import Dangote Fuel Via Lome Hub’

According to the SEC, the purported offer has not received regulatory approval, as the Commission has neither received nor approved any application from Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE for a public offering.

The regulator expressed concern that some registered capital market operators were actively promoting the unapproved offer and soliciting subscriptions from prospective investors.

Explaining the reason for its directive, the SEC stated that the campaign was misleading and amounted to market manipulation capable of creating false expectations among investors and undermining confidence in Nigeria’s capital market.

The Commission noted that invitations encouraging members of the public to open accounts, pre-fund investments, or reserve guaranteed share allocations for the alleged IPO violate provisions of the Investments and Securities Act as well as existing market regulations.

As a result, the SEC ordered all registered operators, including stockbrokers and promoters of digital investment platforms, to immediately cease all advertising and promotional activities relating to the purported offer.

The Commission further directed operators to remove all related promotional materials from their websites, social media pages, and other communication channels within 24 hours.

In addition, firms were instructed to stop accepting deposits, investment commitments, account registrations, or expressions of interest linked to the alleged public offering.

To protect investors from potential losses, the SEC ordered any operator that had already collected funds in connection with the purported IPO to refund such monies within 24 hours.

The regulator warned that any operator that fails to comply with the directive risks facing sanctions under the Investments and Securities Act 2025 and the SEC Rules and Regulations.

The Commission also advised Nigerians to rely only on information released through approved regulatory channels and to ignore unofficial promotional campaigns or investment solicitations concerning the refinery.

SEC added that if Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE eventually decides to proceed with a public offering and secures regulatory approval, an authorised prospectus will be published in line with the law.

The directive comes amid reports that the Dangote Group is considering listing a 10 per cent stake in its $20 billion refinery through a Pan-African IPO expected in 2026.

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