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Why Court Sent EFCC Chairman To Kuje Prison

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Confusion as EFCC names ex-Kogi Gov in amended corruption allegations perpetrated before he became Governor

Why Court Sent EFCC Chairman To Kuje Prison

 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has convicted the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Abdulrasheed Bawa for contempt of court in relation to his agency’s failure to comply with an earlier order of the court.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justice Chizoba Oji, in a ruling, held that “the Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is in contempt of the orders of this honourable court made on November 21st 2018 directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abuja to return to the applicant his Range Rover (Super charge) and the sum of N40, 000,000.00 (Forty Million Naira).

 

Having continued wilfully in disobedience to the order of this court, he should be committed to prison at Kuje Correctional Centre for his disobedience, and continued disobedience of the said order of court made on November 21st, 2018, until he purges himself of the contempt.

 

The Inspector General of Police shall ensure that the order of this honourable court is executed forthwith,” the judge said.

 

Justice Orji rejected the arguments put forward by the lawyer to the EFCC, Francis Jirbo, to justify his client’s action.

 

The ruling delivered on October 28, a certified true copy (CTC) of which The Nation sighted in Abuja on Tuesday, was on a motion on notice marked: FCT/HC/M/52/2021 filed by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Rufus Adeniyi Ojuawo, a one-time Director of Operations at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

 

Ojuawo had, in the motion filed by his lawyer, R.N. Ojabo, in a suit marked: FCT/HC/CR/184/2016 complained that the EFCC declined to comply with the order, for the release of his seized property, made by the court in a judgment delivered on November 21, 2018.

 

The EFCC had arraigned Ojuawo on a two-count charge before Justice Muawiyah Baba Idris of the High Court of the FCT in Nyanya in 2016.

 

He was accused of corruptly receiving gratification to the tune of N40million and a Range Rover Sport (Supercharged) valued at N29250million from one Hima Aboubakar of Societe D’Equipment Internationaux Nigeria Limited.

 

But, in a judgment on November 21, 2018, Justice Idris discharged and acquitted Ojuawo on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove its case.

 

Idris held that for the charge to succeed, the prosecution must prove that the defendant corruptly accepted the gift; that he accepted or obtained the gift for himself or for any other person.

 

The judge added that the prosecution also ought to prove that the defendant accepted the gift in the course of, or for discharging his official duty, and that the gift was an inducement or reward.

 

He held that the burden was on the prosecution to prove all ingredients of the charge preferred against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt as required under Section 131(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

 

“In conclusion, I hold that the prosecution has failed to prove the two counts charge of corrupt gratification under S17 (1)(a) and (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

 

“The defendant is discharged and acquitted on counts one and two of the charge.

 

“Consequently, the complainant (EFCC) is ordered to refund the defendant his N40,000,000 wrongly paid into ONSA recovery account and to return to the defendant his Range Rover Sport (Supercharged) forthwith,” Justice Idris said.

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Coalition Congratulates Oluyede on Appointment as Acting COAS

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Coalition Congratulates Oluyede on Appointment as Acting COAS

Coalition Congratulates Oluyede on Appointment as Acting COAS

 

The Coalition of Civil Society Groups against Terrorism in Nigeria has congratulated Major-General Olufemi Oluyede on his appointment as the acting Chief of Army Staff, (Ag COAS, Nigerian Army).

Coalition Congratulates Oluyede on Appointment as Acting COAS

The Convener of the Coalition, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, in a statement, said General Oluyede has the responsibility to consolidate the success achieved by the Nigerian Army under General Taoreed Lagbaja.

President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday, October 30, appointed Oluyede as acting COAS pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Coalition said his appointment is a welcome development. It said: “Major-General Olufemi Oluyede is well qualified for the position. He was a member of the 39th regular course and commissioned as an officer in 1987. Aged 56, he was promoted to the rank of Major-General in September 2020. A professional and top-notch security expert, he brings a lot of hope and inspiration to younger officers as acting chief of Army Staff.

“His appointment is the way to go. As the acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede has the responsibility to lead an army that will administratively manage the institution, consolidate on the success achieved by General Lagbaja and his team to mop up remnants of insurgents, bandits and the ragtag criminal elements in the North, and dismantle the ethnic militias in the Southeast to bring peace in the country.

“The 56-year-old Oluyede shares a long history with General Lagbaja, with a track record and excellent service to the nation. Both are members of the 39th Regular Course and were commissioned as officers in 1987.

“Oluyede’s meritorious career began as a Platoon commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, advancing to Company commander at 177 Guards Battalion and later Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade and commandant of Amphibious Training School.

“Oluyede has been part of many notable operations, including the ECOMOG Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the Northeast, where he commanded the 27 Task Force Brigade.

“He has received honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, and Grand Service Star, all recognition for passing the Staff Course and membership in the National Institute, and his dedication and achievements in service.”

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General Buratai Urges Dangote Not To Succumb To Marketers Blackmail, Reveals Why

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Buratai Lauds Allen Onyema On Air Peace's Inaugural Flight to London, Calls for Support

General Buratai Urges Dangote Not To Succumb To Marketers Blackmail, Reveals Why

 

Former Chief of Army Staff and erstwhile envoy of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lt. General TY Buratai Rtd (CFR) has lent his voice to the lingering issues between Dangote Refinery and petroleum marketers in Nigeria. The decorated General urged Dangote, not to succumb to the marketers blackmail.

General Buratai Urges Dangote Not To Succumb To Marketers Blackmail, Reveals Why
In an exclusive chat with some journalists on his opinion over the imbroglio between the two gladiators, he raised a fundamental question as regards who is blackmailing Dangote?

According to Buratai, Dangote refinery can not operate outside the global oil system. Just because it refines locally and gets its crude in Naira is not a reason to sell it cheaper. He stated that the government must susidise because it is making a profit. However, the question of subsidy is very sensitive now. But when subsidy is reintroduced, it should be only for locally refined products. At the same time, our borders must be closed for all smugglers, especially in petroleum products.

“Our borders are porous, and high-level smuggling is witnessed in every sphere. Dangote must find markets elsewhere to be able to maintain its operations. It is good news that Ghana and other African countries are approaching Dangote to buy his products.

 

“If Dangote refinery sells its product cheaper, be rest assured the products will be massively smuggled. The petroleum marketers are not sincere. They want cheap Dangote products to be able to smuggle them outside our shores. In this case, both Nigerians and Dangote will be the losers.”

 

Continuing, Buratai believed that “Unless all our borders are properly manned and all the smuggling routes are blocked, then the government subsidy will work for our benefits”

“Dangote should not succumb to the marketers’ blackmail”, he concluded.

 

It would be recalled that the row between Dangote Refinery and petroleum marketers in Nigeria has taken a new dimension following the comment by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote that petroleum marketers were not approaching his refinery for purchase of petroleum products.

There has been an uneasy calm since the roll-out of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from the Dangote Refinery in September. Their were discordant tunes between the management and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other petroleum marketers.

Dangote refinery has disclosed the price of its petrol, revealing that it sells petrol at N960 per litre for ships and maintains a price of N990 per litre for trucks.

The statement follows claims from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) that they can import fuel at cheaper rates than Dangote’s.

In an earlier interview, the marketers alleged they were buying fuel more affordably from abroad and called on Dangote Refinery to collaborate with stakeholders.

In response, the refinery argued that only substandard products could be obtained at prices lower than its own.

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Kingibe Salutes Buratai’s Dedication to Nigeria’s Educational Advancement, Youth Development By Lawrence Bilal Audu

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Kingibe Salutes Buratai’s Dedication to Nigeria’s Educational Advancement, Youth Development By Lawrence Bilal Audu

Kingibe Salutes Buratai’s Dedication to Nigeria’s Educational Advancement, Youth Development

By Lawrence Bilal Audu

Elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, has commended Ambassador Tukur Yusufu Buratai for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s educational development, particularly in fostering youth leadership and critical thinking.

Kingibe Salutes Buratai’s Dedication to Nigeria’s Educational Advancement, Youth Development
By Lawrence Bilal Audu
Ambassador Kingibe, who gave the commendation while chairing the 2024 Young Adult Literature Prize Award Ceremony organized by the TY Buratai Literary Initiative (TYBLI), praised Buratai’s dedication to nurturing young talent.

 

Remembering his years in the military, Ambassador Kingibe recalled the massive research-based transformation the Army witnessed during his administration as Army Chief, as well as the capacity and intellectual development of both officers and soldiers.

 

Ambassador Kingibe underscored the enduring power of literature as the foundation for effective communication, despite technological advancements. “Technology cannot erode the power of the written word,” he said, pledging his partnership in TYBLI’s next edition to continue nurturing young talent in Nigeria.

 

In his remarks, the Chief Host former Chief of Army Staff, and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), emphasized the importance of writing in personal development, communication, and leadership. “Writing is very important in developing one’s knowledge, vision, and ability to communicate,” he stated.

 

“Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write.”

Reflecting on his own experience as a member of literary and drama clubs during his school years, Buratai emphasized the importance of writing for personal development, communication, and leadership. “Leaders must express themselves, and for you to express yourself very well, you must write. If you don’t document what you have in mind, you may tend to forget it. But once you document it, it opens opportunities to benefit society,” he added.

 

He expressed gratitude to participants, supporters, and partners, including Hajiya Hauwa Aliyu and the British Council. Buratai also hinted at plans to increase prize money and potentially offer scholarships to winners pursuing secondary or higher education.

 

The event, held at the Tukur Buratai Research Centre in Gora, Nasarawa State, saw zonal winners from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones receive N250,000 each, while overall winner Taofeek Olatunbosun took home N1 million.

 

Taofeek Olatunbosun, the event’s star, thanked TYBLI and Ambassador Buratai for the honor. He promised to serve as a worthy ambassador for the initiative, committed to honing his writing skills and inspiring others in the literary community.

 

The TY Buratai Literary Initiative seeks to develop Nigeria’s youth into leaders by encouraging them to engage in writing, critical thinking, and self-expression. This aligns with the importance of critical thinking in leadership development, as it enables leaders to understand the impact of their decisions on the business as a whole and ensures alignment with organizational goals and accountability for results.

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