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Petro Union Cheque is a Forgery,” British Crime Detective informs court

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Petro Union Cheque is a Forgery,” British Crime Detective informs court

 

Petro Union Cheque is a Forgery,” British Crime Detective informs court

 

 

 

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has closed its case in a £2.6 billion alleged fraud charge slammed on an oil firm, Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited, a consultant to the company and three of its directors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Consultant is Abayomi Kukoyi (Trading under the name and style of Gladstone Kukoyi & Associates), while the company’s directors on trial are Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze and Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze

 

 

 

 

 

While closing its case before Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, the anti-graft agency called its last witness, Nathaniel John Webb, a senior investigative officer at the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giving his evidence before the court, Detective Sergeant Webb told Justice Liman that the NCA was assigned to investigate the activities and status of the two firms, Gazeaft Ltd and Goldmatic Ltd, that were allegedly used by the defendants to perpetrate the crime.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The witness also informed the court how he made enquiries at Barclays Bank in London on the status of these two firms and found out that they have both been been wound up and the accounts closed in 1987 and 1989 respectively. He further told the court that when the cheque for £2.6 billion drawn on Gazeaft Limited was presented to Union Bank for clearing in 1994, the company and its account at Barclay’s Bank were not in existence. He also told the court that there was no evidence of the lodgement of the £2.6 billion cheque at Barclays Bank at any time during the existence of Gazeaft Limited and while the account was in existence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earlier, an investigative officer with the EFCC, Suleiman Yusuf, had also testified in the matter. In his evidence-in-chief, Sulaiman told the court that he was part of the team that arrested the defendants.

 

 

Petro Union Cheque is a Forgery,” British Crime Detective informs court

 

 

“I am one of the team that investigated this matter. We investigated the matter as a team, and I played many roles at the time. During the investigation, the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the United Kingdom was contacted for enquiries on the two firms used in perpetrating the fraud”, the witness said. The report of the investigation of the NCA was sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation and has been tendered as evidence before the court”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the conclusion of EFCC’s case, the defence lawyers informed the court that their clients would be filing a no case submission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The EFCC had on 27th January 2021 re-arraigned the four Directors on a 13-count charge of alleged £2.6 billion fraud. They were earlier on February 13, 2020, arraigned by the anti-graft agency on a 7-count charge bordering on the alleged offence. The defendants’ trial subsequently resumed after they all pleaded not guilty to the amended charge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the counts against the defendants read as thus:

“That you Petro Union Oil and Gas Limited, Prince Isaac Okpala (now deceased), Abayomi Kukoyi, Prince Kingsley Okpala, Prince Chidi Okpalaeze, Prince Emmanuel Okpalaeze and Princess Gladys Okpalaeze (now at large) on or about 29th December, 1994 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently procured a Barclays Bank cheque dated 29th December, 1994 in the sum of £2,556,000,000.00 made payable to Gladstone Kukoyi and Associates, purporting the said cheque to be meant for foreign investment in the construction of 3 refineries and petrochemical complex in Nigeria, when you knew that the said cheque to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(2) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 and punishable under same Section”.

 

 

 

 

 

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned to June 21 for the hearing of the defendants’ no case submission.

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TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR ZULUM FOR HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES 

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TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION COMMENDS GOVERNOR ZULUM FOR HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES 

 

 

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation has commended Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for his generous donation of ₦150 million to the families of three military officers who were tragically killed in recent attacks. Each family received ₦50 million as part of the state’s continued commitment to supporting fallen heroes and wounded personnel involved in counter-insurgency operations.

 

The commendation was contained in a statement signed by the foundation’s chairman, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.

 

The foundation expressed gratitude for the governor’s compassionate gesture, which included personal visits to the families of the late Lieutenant Colonels Umar Farouq, Salihu Iliyasu, and Aliyu Saidu Paiko in Abuja, Niger, and Kano States. During the visits, Governor Zulum offered his condolences and praised the service, sacrifice, and patriotism of the fallen officers.

 

The foundation’s Grand Patron, His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR (Rtd), personally commended the governor’s dedication to improving the lives of Borno State residents. He also extended his condolences to the families of the officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.

 

During his visits, Governor Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting bereaved families, which includes offering scholarships to the orphaned children of fallen personnel. He pledged to extend similar visits to other affected families, underscoring a compassionate approach to addressing the needs of those who have suffered in the line of duty.

 

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Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis

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*Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu Appointed Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, United Kingdom of Atlantis

 

Her Majesty Queen Amb Dr. Nwamaka Cordelia Anyatonwu, Queen of the Aches Empire under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom of Atlantis (UKA), has been appointed as the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture, and Kingdom Affairs, effective immediately.

This appointment comes as the UKA takes decisive steps to strengthen its humanitarian efforts and protect its citizens from unauthorized activities. In light of recent developments, the UKA has issued an official public disclaimer cautioning citizens, followers, and the general public about the activities of individuals promoting and operating a coin or platform not officially recognized by the Atlantian Gold Coin (ATC). This follows the hijacking of the 5 billion humanitarian project, a move that has been met with concern and condemnation from the international community.

As the newly appointed Minister, Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu has announced that all matters pertaining to the 5 billion humanitarian project in UKA should be directed to her office. This includes the newly captured NGOs, which are now required to report to the Office of Humanitarian Affairs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of humanitarian resources.

“We are committed to transparency and accountability in our humanitarian efforts,” said Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu. “We urge all stakeholders to work with us to ensure the success of our initiatives and protect our citizens from unauthorized activities. We will not tolerate any form of exploitation or mismanagement of humanitarian funds, and we will take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

The UKA has assured its citizens and the international community that it is taking all necessary measures to recover the hijacked funds and bring the perpetrators to justice. The appointment of Queen Amb Dr. Anyatonwu is seen as a significant step towards achieving this goal and ensuring that humanitarian efforts are aligned with the UKA’s values and principles.

For more information. Please contact the Office of the Minister of Humanitarian, Culture and Kingdom Affairs.

*About the United Kingdom of Atlantis*
The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation committed to promoting peace, prosperity, and humanitarian values. The UKA is dedicated to working with international partners to address global challenges and improve the lives of its citizens and people around the world.

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NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists

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NASRE: Building A Safety Net For Nigeria’s Journalists

 

At a time when Nigeria’s media industry is strained by economic uncertainty, job instability, and shrinking newsroom resources, the Nigerian Association of Social and Resourceful Editors (NASRE) is redefining professional solidarity. More than a network of editors, it is emerging as a critical support system for journalists navigating an increasingly precarious landscape.

 

Founded on the principles of welfare, solidarity, and professional growth, NASRE has positioned itself as a responsive and forward-looking body within the media ecosystem. While many professional associations remain focused on advocacy and training, NASRE distinguishes itself by combining these roles with direct and practical support for journalists and their families.

 

At the core of its mission is a clear proposition that no journalist should be abandoned in times of need. Through financial assistance, targeted outreach, and sustained engagement, the association has supported members facing hardship, as well as widows and families of deceased practitioners. These largely understated interventions have steadily earned NASRE credibility and respect across the industry.

 

The organisation’s approach reflects a keen awareness of the pressures confronting media professionals, including irregular pay, job insecurity, and limited institutional backing. In such an environment, NASRE’s welfare initiatives are not merely charitable, they are essential.

 

Beyond welfare, the association is investing in professional resilience. Through collaboration, networking, and knowledge-sharing platforms, it is equipping editors and practitioners to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital media space, where adaptability is no longer optional.

 

Headquartered in Lagos, NASRE continues to broaden its reach, attracting a growing membership united by the need for a more responsive and supportive professional community. Its expansion signals a shift in expectations within the industry, away from symbolic affiliations towards institutions that deliver measurable value.

 

For many observers, NASRE represents a necessary evolution, a professional body anchored not just in ideals, but in impact. By combining empathy with structure, it offers a model of what media associations can become in challenging times.

 

As the industry continues to evolve, organisations like NASRE may prove indispensable. In a profession devoted to telling society’s stories, it is ensuring that the storytellers themselves are not left behind.

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