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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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The Power of Building Resilience” By Prudent Ludidi

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The Power of Building Resilience” By Prudent Ludidi

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Life is unpredictable. It’s full of twists and turns. Some days are easy others are hard.

But no matter what life throws at you, you have a choice, you can let challenges break you, or you can build resilience.

Resilience is the strength to withstand, to bounce back, to adapt, to overcome, it’s the power to face adversity head-on, to transform obstacles into opportunities, to turn setbacks into stepping stones!

Building resilience is not about being invincible. It’s about being human, it’s about acknowledging your vulnerabilities and working on them.

Resilience is built in both small and big moments of the everyday choices we make!

To get up when you’re tired, keep going when you’re struggling, to push through when you’re doubting. It’s built in the habits you form.

It’s important to understand that resilience is not just about surviving, it’s about thriving, growing, becoming stronger, more confident and more compassionate.

When you build resilience, you open yourself up to possibilities, you take risks, you innovate, you create and inspire.

So, how do you build resilience?
You start small.
You take care of yourself.
You practice self-compassion.
You seek support.
You focus on the present.
And you keep moving forward.
One step at a time.
Resilience is not a destination it’s a journey!

Because when you build resilience, you unlock your true potential to withstand unplanned inconveniences in your life.

You become unstoppable.
You achieve greatness.
You inspire others.

And you create a ripple effect of resilience that touches everyone around you.
Remember, resilience is not something you have or you don’t.

It’s something you build, day by day, moment by moment, choice by choice.
So, choose to build resilience, face your fears, push through challenges, choose to rise above obstacles, choose to become the best version of yourself!

You’re capable of thrive and succeed!

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Equatorial Guinea S*x Scandal: Woman Allegedly Commits Suicide

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Equatorial Guinea Sex Scandal: Woman Allegedly Commits Suicide

Equatorial Guinea Sex Scandal: Woman Allegedly Commits Suicide

 

Sadly, in a shocking turn of events related to the ongoing sex scandal in Equatorial Guinea, one of the women allegedly featured in explicit videos involving high-profile individuals reportedly took her own life.

The woman is believed to have been overwhelmed by the spread of the footage, which has gone viral and caused a media uproar in the country.

The scandal erupted after Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency, was arrested on charges of misconduct, including allegedly recording over 400 videos involving wives of notable figures in the nation.

The videos, which surfaced amid a broader investigation into fraud, reportedly include intimate encounters with influential individuals, escalating the controversy.

This latest development has sparked a public outcry, with many calling for stronger measures to protect the privacy and dignity of those affected by the leaked content.

Meanwhile, officials in Equatorial Guinea are reportedly taking steps to control the scandal’s impact as they continue their investigation.

News360 Nigeria reports that Baltasar Engonga, the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, was arrested following a shocking revelation of over 400 sextapes reportedly involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

Engonga, 54, came under investigation for fraud, leading to an unannounced search of his residence and office, where officials discovered numerous CDs containing recordings of his alleged sexual encounters.

The tapes reportedly feature encounters with high-profile individuals, including relatives and wives of government officials, such as the sister of the President, the wife of the Director General of Police, and spouses of approximately 20 ministers.

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Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him

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Primate Ayodele Never Said Seyi Makinde Would Become President’’ – Media Aide Clarifies*

Ekiti Governor Honours Primate Ayodele’s Late Father, Names Street After Him

 

The governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji has honoured the Primate Elijah Ayodele’s late father by naming a street after him in Ikere-Ekiti.

The street which used to be ‘Area One’ where the prophet’s church in Ekiti is located has now been registered as Ayomate Avenue.

According to reports, the renaming took the combined efforts of the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, his chiefs, the local government chairmen, and ultimately, the governor of Ekiti state, Biodun Oyebanji.

According to the governor, the street was named in recognition of the good works done by the late father of Primate Ayodele and the continuation of the good works by the prophet. He also recognized the efforts of the prophet to drive economic growth in the community.

Primate Ayodele embraced the development while expressing appreciation to the governor for honouring God in such a manner. The prophet applauded the governor for his efforts towards bringing development to Ikere-Ekiti and promised that the presence of his church will in turn lead to more economic development in the local government.

Furthermore, Primate Ayodele promised that he would begin by sinking boreholes across the local government to support the government in solving the water crisis.

‘’I appreciate the governor for the magnanimous development of naming this vicinity after our church, it’s indeed marvellous in God’s sight. This is a testament to his love for God and the people of Ekiti state.”

“I also want to appreciate him for the development he started in Ikere-Ekiti local government, the people are happy with him and above all, God is happy with him for all he is doing”

“I want to promise His Excellency that our presence here will bring a new dawn to this vicinity, we will also assist the government. We will be sinking boreholes across the local government to solve the water crisis.’’

History has it that Primate Ayodele’s father was one of the most respected individuals in Ikere-Ekiti who brought good tidings to the community and provided succour for individuals who needed help.

Consequently, Primate Ayodele has been engaging in humanitarian activities on a large scale across the country. Since he opened a branch in Ikere-Ekiti, Primate Ayodele has organized charitable programmes thrice which involved selling a bag of rice for N20,000, scholarships for youths, empowerment for widows, to mention but a few.

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