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Lagos Businesswoman Sentenced to 17 Years for N57.6m Fraud

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Lagos Businesswoman Sentenced to 17 Years for N57.6m Fraud

Lagos Businesswoman Sentenced to 17 Years for N57.6m Fraud

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced a businesswoman, Oluremi Phillips, to 17 years imprisonment for defrauding AYM Shafa Limited of N57,690,000. The judgment, delivered on Thursday, also included penalties for her company, Omritas Energy Limited.

Phillips was first arraigned before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on January 27, 2022. However, following Justice Solebo’s retirement in November 2022, the case was reassigned to Justice Ijelu, who concluded the trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that Phillips and her company fraudulently converted the sum intended for the supply of Automotive Gas Oil in 2016. Additionally, Omritas Energy issued a N14,298,075 cheque to AYM Shafa Limited in April 2017, which was dishonored due to insufficient funds.

Phillips and Omritas Energy were re-arraigned on May 22, 2023, facing five counts of stealing and issuing dud cheques, offenses that contravene Section 285(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.

Guilty Verdict and Sentencing

During the trial, the EFCC presented three witnesses and several documents, while the defense called three witnesses. After reviewing the evidence, Justice Ijelu found both Phillips and Omritas Energy guilty on all five counts.

Phillips was sentenced to:

  • Count One: Nine years imprisonment or an option of a N2 million fine, payable within 90 days.
  • Counts Two to Five: Two years imprisonment each, to run concurrently.

Omritas Energy Limited was fined:

  • N250,000 for count one.
  • N100,000 each for counts two to five.

Restitution and Further Penalties

Justice Ijelu also ordered Phillips and her company to pay restitution of N57,690,000 to AYM Shafa Limited within 90 days. Failure to comply would result in Omritas Energy Limited being wound up.

This ruling highlights the judiciary’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and ensuring justice for victims of fraudulent activities.

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Elegant Fashionista, Chief (Princess) Adeyinka Adedokun 3ace bags double awards

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*Elegant Fashionista, Chief (Princess) Adeyinka Adedokun 3ace bags double awards

 

Same day same event, Chief (Princess) Adeyinka Adedokun 3ace, Otun Yeyemeso of Ilaro-Yewa, President, Faces of Yewa Indigenes Foundation and CEO of 3ace De Current International Boutique Ireland and Nigeria has had her awards cabinet boosted by two additional awards.

The latest boosts to the award cabinet of the elegant fashionista, international entrepreneur, TikTok sensation and Facebook content creator, Adeyinka Adedokun are Most Unique Woman Icon of the Year Award and Digital Women Icon of the Year.

She received the award at the 2024 Nigeria Social Media Conference and Awards organized by Celebrity Crush Television which was held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) building, Ikeja, Lagos.where she was represented by the duo of Tolu Apanisile and the Director of Operations of Faces of Yewa Indigenes Foundation, Kehinde Akinlade.

Responding after the award presentations, Kehinde Akinlade said Chief (Princess) Adeyinka Adedokun considers the social media as tool for expanding commerce, the development of ideas, initiatives and also a veritable tool for a better society.

He described the award as an icing on the cake for Chief (Princess) Adeyinka Adedokun who sees the social media as blessing enough in expanding her business empire, reaching global audience and making profit from the comfort of her home, her business offices and even the streets.

The representative of the beautiful Princess added that the award is well appreciated by the recipient and it will spur her on to continue to promote positive use of the social media as a tool for business growth, upscaling of entrepreneurial skills and for enabling a better society for all.

He said Chief Princess Adeyinka Adedokun wants a better society championed by the present generation of youths through the use of the world wide web which the social media forms an important part of. He said the the award recipient wants the youths to leave the dark side of the internet for the brighter side with contents that promote positivity as against the debasement of women, promotion of crime and other vices.

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Capacious Farms and Adron Homes Celebrate World Food Day with JSS Arts & Essay Contest, Award Top 5 Schools

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Capacious Farms and Adron Homes Celebrate World Food Day with JSS Arts & Essay Contest, Award Top 5 Schools

Capacious Farms and Adron Homes Celebrate World Food Day with JSS Arts & Essay Contest, Award Top 5 Schools

 

In celebration of World Food Day, Capacious Farms & Foods Ltd hosted the 2024 Junior Secondary School (JSS) Arts & Essay Contest Award Ceremony yesterday, with sponsorship from Adron Homes & Properties. The event, which took place at the Adron training School in Simawa, aimed to engage young minds in agriculture, creative arts, and essay writing to raise awareness about food security and sustainability.

 

The competition saw participation from 40 schools nationwide, each submitting entries focused on the future of agriculture and its role in combating food insecurity. After a rigorous judging process, five schools emerged as winners, with students from these schools receiving cash prizes, generously sponsored by the foremost real estate company in Nigeria, Adron Homes & Properties.

Capacious Farms and Adron Homes Celebrate World Food Day with JSS Arts & Essay Contest, Award Top 5 Schools

The Chief Operating Officer of Capacious Farms & Foods Chi Tola Roberts, emphasized the significance of the event in her address. “Commemorating World Food Day through this contest highlights the critical role agriculture plays in our society. Our goal is to spark an early interest in agriculture and equip students with the knowledge and motivation to pursue careers in the sector,” she stated. Roberts also announced that the contest would become an annual event, with promises of broader outreach and increased opportunities for students.

The chairman, Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking spoke passionately about Nigeria’s agricultural history and the importance of returning to its roots. “Our nation was built on agriculture. Cocoa House, one of Nigeria’s landmarks, was funded through proceeds from cocoa farming. By supporting initiatives like this, we aim to inspire the next generation to see agriculture not only as our past but as our future,” he said. Emmanuelking reiterated Adron’s commitment to supporting youth engagement in agriculture, particularly through sponsorships like those awarded at this event.

Prof. Adesegun, Chairman of the Babcock University Schools Management Board, delivered a keynote speech on the global food crisis and the importance of youth involvement. “We are facing a global challenge in food security, and the youth must be at the forefront of finding solutions. This competition is a step in the right direction, as it encourages students to think critically about the future of food and agriculture,” he remarked.

The event provided a platform for young students to showcase their artistic and literary talents, exploring themes that align with the mission of World Food Day: ending hunger and ensuring food security for all. The five winning schools were awarded cash prizes, and their students were celebrated for their exceptional creative and analytical contributions.

Capacious Farms & Foods Ltd and Adron Homes & Properties have committed to making this competition an annual event, fostering a deeper connection between Nigeria’s youth and the agricultural sector.

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Senate Orders Arrest of Julius Berger MD

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Senate Orders Arrest of Julius Berger MD Over Abandoned Projects

Senate Orders Arrest of Julius Berger MD Over Abandoned Projects

 

The Senate on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Peer Lubasch, following his repeated failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Works.

The resolution came after a motion was moved by the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP, Enugu West), and co-sponsored by Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and Mpigi Barinada (PDP, Rivers South-East).

In his motion, Senator Ngwu highlighted that Julius Berger had persistently ignored invitations to clarify issues surrounding abandoned projects and the significant increase in the cost of contracts, from N54 billion to N195 billion.

He raised concerns over the Odukpani-Itu Highway project, noting that Julius Berger had received more than N18 billion in public funds but had failed to meet targets and honor contract terms. “Despite receiving substantial public funds, Julius Berger has refused to provide details of their role in the Odukpani-Itu Highway project,” Ngwu stated.

Ngwu further pointed to discrepancies in the performance of contractors, with Julius Berger specifically singled out for not meeting expectations. He referenced the National Assembly’s constitutional powers to investigate and summon any person or organization handling public funds, as stipulated in Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution.

The senator also drew attention to the alleged termination of Julius Berger’s contract for the Odukpani-Itu Highway due to its failure to accept contract review terms, despite initially agreeing to a contract worth over N54 billion. Julius Berger later sought an upward review to N195 billion, which was rejected.

Ngwu called on the Senate to invoke its constitutional powers, as outlined in Section 89(1)(c) and (d) of the 1999 Constitution, to compel Dr. Lubasch’s attendance at the rescheduled investigative hearing. Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed that a specific date for the MD’s appearance would be included in the arrest warrant.

The motion led to a heated debate in the Senate, with some senators calling for the immediate issuance of the arrest warrant. Senators Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North), Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), and Joel Onowakpo Thomas (APC, Delta) supported the motion. However, Senators Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North), and Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) proposed resolving the matter at the committee level to avoid unnecessary escalation.

Despite the differing opinions, the Senate resolved to proceed with the arrest warrant, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.

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