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We didn’t complete our investigation before charging lawyer to court -EFCC witness

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Olukoyede has disgraced President Tinubu's government, he should resign - Campaign for Democracy .EFCC has ulterior motive on Yahaya Bello, not fighting corruption

 

 

 

 

An EFCC witness Daniel Danladi today under cross -examination by the defence team of legal practitioner Dr Joseph Nwobike led by Mr Olawale Akoni told an Ikeja high court that the Anti -graft Agency did not complete its investigations before charging the senior lawyer to court for corruption.

Nwobike is facing trial at an Ikeja High Court for allegedly perverting the course of justice by offering gratification to Judges

 

The judges are; Justice Mohammed Yinusa, Justice H.A Ngajiwa and Justice Musa Kurya, all of the Federal High Court, Lagos and Justice James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court, Lagos.

 

The EFCC also alleged that the Senior lawyer was in illegal communication via text messages with Mrs Helen Ogunleye, Mr Baruwa, Mr Jide and one Debbie who are all official of the Federal High Court Lagos.

 

The defence  team led by Mr Olawale Akoni (SAN),today while cross -examining an. EFCC witness Daniel disputed the claims of the EFCC and told the court that the anti-graft agency did not do a thorough investigation into the allegations levelled against Dr Nwobike before charging him to court.

 

Akoni while cross-examining Daniel said “The case against the defendant was filed in court on March 4, the judges involved in this matter were not interviewed by the commission  until months after.

 

“It is safe to say that the EFCC did not complete it’s investigations before charging the defendant to court,” Akoni said.

In response  to Akoni’s assertion, Daniel said “Justice Mohammed Yinusa, Justice H.A Ngajiwa, Justice Musa Kurya and Justice Agbadu-Fishim were interviewed between October and September 2016.

 

“The reason for that delay was that when this case started, we made efforts to invite the judges but they were not able to honour our invitation because of  National Judicial Council (NJC) investigation, But nothing was said about the delay in interviewing Hellen Ogunleye.

 

“We however, went ahead to file the charges because we believe we have evidence against the defendant. Daniel said.

 

The detective admitted that Mrs Helen Ogunleye, a court registrar of Justice Musa Kurya who had  no involvement in the NJC probe was also interviewed by the anti-graft agency in October 2016, months after the charges against Nwobike were filed in court

Daniel revealed to the court that the judges did not admit to the EFCC that the money given to them by Nwobike was to pervert the course of justice but for assistance In fact there was no evidence that Dr. Nwobike was having any case before Justice Agbadu -Fishim and justice Nganjiwa ,Daniel told the court.

 

He said “All the judges- Justice Agbadu-Fishim, Justice  Kurya and Justice Yinusa gave several reasons  why the money was paid into their accounts, they did not say  that the money was to pervert the course of justice.

 

“When the commission interviewed  Dr Nwobike he claimed that the N750,000 transferred into Justice Yinusa’s account  was meant to assist in the medical treatment of his mother.

 

“When we confronted Justice  Yinusa, he also confirmed that the money was for his mother’s treatment .

 

“Justice  H.A Ngajiwa admitted receiving N300,000 from the defendant which was paid into his  bank account of Hawajiya Ltd, which is his company account.

 

“The judge admitted that the money was for the purchase of law books for his library

“Our investigations did not reveal that the defendant had any  case before Justice Agbadu-Fishim or Nganjiwa.

 

“The N100,000, N150,000 and N100,000 paid into his bank account by Nwobike was claimed by Justice Agbadu -Fishim to be towards his trip abroad for a medical checkup.

“The witness also confirmed that the payments were gifts to Justice Agbadu-Fishim.

“ Justice Kurya however, denied receiving any money from the defendant, we also could not find any order that was allegedly discharged by Justice Kurya on behalf of the defendant.

“Mrs Helen Ogunleye, a court registrar of Justice Musa Kurya was interviewed by the commission and she admitted to receiving N250,000 from the defendant claiming that he was rendering financial assistance to her to solve a family problem.

Danladi also admitted under cross-examination that the administration judge in  charge of assigning cases at the Federal High Court  was not interviewed by the EFCC.

 

He admitted to not being present when Nwobike’s  statement  was taken.

“Mr Jide, an official of the Federal High Court told our Commission that he was not the one who assigns cases but the  administrative judge.

“We did not investigate the administration judge to factor in the cases involved in this trial and the criteria for assignment of these  cases,the witness told the court.

 

“The defendant was only interviewed in my presence but I was not present when his statement was taken.

 

‘His statement was taken by Mr Usman Zakari of the EFCC,” Daniel said.

The detective also admitted that the EFCC did not interview  ‘Debbie’ a court regustrar who was allegedly  in text message communication with Nwobike.

 

“I did not interview the said Debbie, I don’t know the nature of the relationship between her and the defendant and l don’t know what the $2,500 given to her by the defendant was to be used for,” Daniel said.

Akoni, then proceeded to show the court the alleged two text messages between Nwobike and Debbie,where she was thanking her for uncommon favour.

 

The first text  in which she allegedly wrote  ‘I have received an envelope containing  $2,400.’

 

The second text was Debbie expressing thanks to the SAN for uncommon favour.

 

Danladi admitted that not all over 14,000 text messages contained in the Extraction Report was related to the case.

 

“Not all the matters contained in the text messages were placed before the judges whose names were mentioned in the  messages.”

Daniel also admitted under cross-examination that not all the cases which the anti-graft agency claimed were unduly influenced  by the SAN involved the EFCC. one of such cases is

“In AMCON V Mopas Shipping Line Ltd and two others, with suit no. FHC/CS/L/1307/2014 the EFCC was not a party to this case. I did not see any communication between the defendant Mr.Jide, and Baruwa in regard to this case.

The witness also told the court that there was no evidence to show that the defendant gave JIDE any money

 

“ The EFCC also did not receive any petition from the parties in respect of Justice Yinusa who handled the case.

am also not aware of the EFCC appealing against the decisions in Mr  Simon John Adomene and four others V the EFCC with suit no. FHC/CS/L/471/2015  as well as Mr Simon John Adomene and three others V the EFCC with suit no. FHC/CS/L/1071/2015 cases involved in the on going trial

 

Justice Raliatu Adebiyi has madjourned the case to May 5 and 18 for continuation of trial.

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

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NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

NIHOTOUR Calls on Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Allied Sector Professionals for Mandated Registration

 

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), the regulatory and standardization authority in the sector, has invited professionals in the hospitality, tourism,travel and allied sectors to register as mandated by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (Establishment) Act 2022.

A statement signed by Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, FIMC, Director-General/CEO
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism reads:

“Enjoy FREE registration from December 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025! This is your chance to register as a professional or practitioner at no cost.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to solidify your presence in Nigeria’s thriving tourism industry. Visit www.nihotour.gov.ng now!

“Hurry—free registration closes on January 15, 2025. Take the first step toward advancing your career in tourism today!”

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

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EGC Homes Unveils Goodness and Mercy Estate, Brand Ambassador

 

EGC Homes, a notable player in the real estate and property development sector, has made waves in the Nigerian market with its recent announcement of the launch of Goodness and Mercy Estate in Ogun, alongside other strategic initiatives.

The company emphasized its commitment to collaborating with the government to alleviate the housing deficit in Nigeria while prioritizing the well-being of residents.

In an interview with THECONSCIENCE NG, Oladapo Jimoh, the Managing Director of EGC Homes and Properties, expressed the brand’s long-term vision to bridge the housing gap and simplify the journey to homeownership.

He stated, “Current data estimates Nigeria’s housing deficit to be around 28 million units by 2024. This figure is among the largest globally and poses significant challenges, contributing to homelessness and various social issues.”

“National statistics indicate that our country faces a pressing need for approximately 700,000 new homes each year to address this deficit. As urbanization continues, these challenges are particularly evident in major cities, where affordable housing becomes increasingly scarce, forcing many into slums and informal settlements.”

The World Bank projects that Nigeria’s urban population could exceed 200 million by 2050, highlighting a potential social crisis as the lack of affordable housing leads to the rise of slums, especially in urban areas.

“As a forward-thinking and solutions-oriented company, we are dedicated to addressing these critical housing issues in partnership with the government.”

Following its successful launch in Lagos, EGC Homes has rapidly expanded its operations, acquiring a significant land bank across the southwestern region of Nigeria and enhancing its marketing strategies to effectively connect with customers.

The firm is committed to providing Nigerians with exceptional value, peace of mind, and simplifying the processes of land acquisition and homeownership.

“Our mission is to make life easier for Nigerians while assisting the government in tackling the housing deficit.”

Recently, the company introduced its premier property, the Goodness and Mercy Estate, located in Arepo and Sagamu Interchange in Ogun State, with more projects on the horizon. Its flexible payment plans and affordable property prices aim to cater to a wide audience.

Additionally, EGC Homes has appointed Titilayo Adebayo-Omotosho as its social media brand ambassador to promote the unique offerings of EGC Homes and Properties Limited to Nigerians both at home and abroad.

In her remarks, she highlighted her commitment to the vision of EGC Homes, stating, “I believe every Nigerian deserves a decent roof over their head. This aligns perfectly with the mission of EGC Homes and Properties, which is why I chose to represent the brand, promoting its exceptional estates and home packages to Nigerians and those aspiring to own homes here.”

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Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

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L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos

Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys LCC Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive $500m Investments in Nigeria

 

Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and retention company, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Loft & Keys LLC, a renowned real estate and investment company with dominant presence in Nigeria and the Middle East.

 

The ceremony which took place over the weekend at Optiva Capital’s Corporate Headquarters, aims to boost investment in Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare sectors on the one hand, as well as provide Nigerian investors with opportunities to invest in real estate in the UAE, particularly in Dubai.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, “With Loft & Keys’ deep understanding of the Nigerian market and established networks in the Middle East, we are poised to bring $500 million in investments into Nigeria’s hospitality and healthcare industries. These funds will be strategically spread across Lagos, Abuja (FCT), Delta, and Enugu.”

 

The investment in hospitality will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Nigeria. Beyond creating employment opportunities, it will spur infrastructure development, enhance regional tourism appeal, and foster business ecosystems in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Enugu, and Delta. Similarly, the healthcare focus will address critical gaps in medical infrastructure, improve access to quality care, and promote health innovation—key pillars for national development.

 

The partnership According to Dr Kimemia also extends to Nigerian investors seeking opportunities in the UAE. With Loft & Keys’ expertise and extensive networks in Dubai and other Middle Eastern hubs, the collaboration will unlock access to one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.
Speaking about the partnership, Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC, said “Optiva Capital Partners stands as Africa’s leading wealth retention company, a position that is firmly established and without question. This partnership with Loft & Keys will further solidify their dominance and create even greater opportunities for growth. As Dr. Jane Kimemia has rightly emphasized, Loft & Keys, with our extensive expertise in the Middle East, is a trusted and experienced partner”. We have a strong presence in the UAE and are actively expanding into Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the near future. Together with Optiva Capital Partners, we are committed to capturing significant market opportunities in these regions. I am confident that this partnership will foster substantial growth that will be mutually rewarding for both parties.

 

Dubai, a city widely known for its opulence and rapid development, is reportedly operating at only 30% of its projected capacity, presenting a significant growth opportunity for investors. According to industry experts, this untapped potential creates a unique window for investors to capitalize on the city’s future expansion and development.
The partnership aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17 as two formidable brands, Optiva Capital Partners and Loft & Keys are committed to leveraging their collective strengths to drive impactful investments that benefit clients and communities alike.

 

L-R Dr. Jane Kimemia, CEO, Optiva Capital Partners and Chief Austin Ugochukwu Albert, Chairman, Loft & Keys LLC during the partnership agreement signing between Optiva Capital partners and Loft & keys LLC at Optiva's headquarters in Lagos
About Optiva Capital Partners
Optiva Capital Partners is a premier wealth management and retention firm offering bespoke solutions in four areas of specialization – investment immigration, investment advisory, insurance, and international real estate.
About Loft & Keys LLC
Loft & Keys is an internationally recognized real estate and investment company with a robust presence in Nigeria and the UAE. The firm is dedicated to connecting investors with high-value opportunities in dynamic markets.

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