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Jonathan’s Former Aide Docked On Money Laundering Charges

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Jonathan’s Former Aide Docked On Money Laundering Charges

bank notes

Former Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Emmanuel Dudafa and a bank official, Joseph Nna were on Wednesday June 15, 2016, docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice M.B. Idris of the Federal High Court Lagos on 23-counts of concealment, retention of proceeds of crime and failing to furnish information.

Dudafa is alleged to have laundered over N1, 667,162,800.00 (One billion, six hundred and sixty seven million, one hundred and sixty two thousand, eight hundred Naira) while performing his duties as top aide to the former president, through the accounts of four companies – Ebiwise Resources Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited, Rotato Inter-Link Services Limited and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

He allegedly received the assistance of the second defendant, Nna, a branch manager of a new generation bank, who was in charge of the said accounts.

When the charges were read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the defendants, Aboyega Oyewole and Sunday Abumere, informed the court of their applications for bail dated June 10 which was filed on June 13, 2016, and urged the court to grant the accused bail.

Justice Idris adjourned the case till June 16, 2016 for hearing on the bail applications, while ordering the defendants to be remanded in prison custody.

Part of the charge reads: “That you, Waripamo-Owei Emmanuel Dudafa and Iwejuo Joseph Anna a.k.a. Taiwo A. Ebenezer and Olugbenga Isaiah, on or about the 11th day of June, 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit Concealing the proceeds of Crime in the sum of N1,667,162,800 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Sixty Seven Million, One Hundred and Sixty Two Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira ), and you thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 17(a) of the same Act.”

Saraki’s Trial Adjourned Again Over Motion To Disqualify Tribunal Chairman

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Saraki’s Trial Adjourned Again Over Motion To Disqualify Tribunal Chairman

 

Senate President, Bukola Saraki
Senate President, Bukola Saraki

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has adjourned the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, till June 21, to enable the hearing of a fresh motion filed by Saraki’s counsel seeking the disqualification of the Danladi Umar from further presiding over the case.

According to the motion, Saraki accused Umar of bias based on remarks the tribunal chairman made on June 7, when he warned the defence against delay tactics.

Umar had warned that the delay tactics being employed by the defence “would not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet in this tribunal at the end of the trial.”

Saraki’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN, said Umar’s statement would prejudice the outcome of the trial.

This would be the second motion filed by Saraki asking for the withdrawal of the CCT chairman from the case.

The first motion, which bothered on the CCT chairman’s alleged involvement in a N10 million bribery case, was thrown out by Umar on April 28.

Saraki is facing trial on a 16-count charge of false asset declaration during his tenure as Kwara State Governor.

He is also accused of operating foreign accounts as a public officer and receiving governor’s salary even after he had left office.

Again, FG Bails Out States With N80 Billion

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Again, FG Bails Out States With N80 Billion
Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun
Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

The Federal Government has announced an N80 billion loan to the 36 states of the federation to be accessed as bonds through the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun who disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting with commissioners of finance from the 36 six states of the federation emphasized that the credit facility is aimed at developing a broad based and people oriented economy.

The N80 billion will be accessed by the states in two phases upon fulfillment of a 22-point reform agenda outlined in a fiscal sustainability plan aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s economy on the path of sustainable growth.

Adeosun said every state remains a center of prosperity and as a result the federal government was developing a broad based economy with productive activities in every region and state especially in their areas of comparative advantage.

To achieve this feat, she said states must begin to look inwards while partnering the private sector.

The Jigawa State Commissioner for finance, who spoke for the 36 states, assured the federal government that states are already re-strategizing to achieve economic diversification.

This is the second time the federal government has come to the rescue of the states. In July last year, the government gave out N804.7 billion as loan to the states to enable them pay workers’ salaries.

 

Buhari Condoles Ghanaian President Over Mother’s Death

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Buhari Condoles Ghanaian President Over Mother’s Death
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday spoke on the telephone with President John Mahama of Ghana to extend his condolences to his family on the passing away of his mother, Hajia Abiba Nnaba.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists.

Adesina quoted the President as praying that Allah should grant the soul of Nnaba eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.

The statement read, “The President told the Ghanaian leader that his personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Nigerians are with him as he mourns the passage of a beloved mother.

“The President further prayed that the loving memory and virtues which Hajia Abiba Nnaba lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.”

Orlando Shooter’s Wife May Face Trial

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Orlando Shooter’s Wife May Face Trial

Orlando shooter

Noor Salman, wife of the gunman who killed 49 people at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando could soon be charged in connection with the mass shooting.

Media reports say a federal grand jury has been convened and could charge Salman, wife of Omar Mateen, as early as Wednesday.

Fox News said that prosecutors are seeking to charge Salman as an accessory to 49 counts of murder and 53 counts of attempted murder, failing to notify law enforcement about the coming attack and lying to federal agents.

According to a report by the Associated Press, Salman, 30, met Mateen online and they married on Sept. 29, 2011. The couple has a 3-year-old son.

Salman, who has Palestinian roots, grew up in the small suburb of Rodeo, California, about 25 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Salman feared that Mateen, 29, was planning an attack and sought to dissuade him from going forward, a federal law enforcement official said Tuesday.

In interviews with federal investigators, Salman also allegedly acknowledged driving Mateen to the Pulse nightclub at least once before her husband launched the assault, according to the official who was not authorized to speak publicly

Salman allegedly told investigators that she drove Mateen to Pulse, a popular gay club in Orlando, about a week before Sunday’s shooting, suggesting that the gunman had identified the target for some time before moving forward.

The attack, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, left 49 dead and 53 others wounded. Mateen was shot dead by police after a standoff.

US President, Barrack Obama will visit Orlando on Thursday in honour of the victims.

Dokpesi’s Trial Stalled Again

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Dokpesi’s Trial Stalled Again
Raymond Dokpesi
Raymond Dokpesi

The trial of former Chairman of DAAR Communications Plc, Raymond Dokpesi, before the federal high court in Abuja was again stalled on Wednesday as the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, was absent.

Dokpesi was charged by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC, with fraud to the tune of N2.1 billion.

When trial resumed on Wednesday, the defence counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe, told Justice James Tsoho that he had received a letter from Jacobs informing the defence of his inability to attend the hearing due to another case at the Appeal Court on the same day.

The prosecution pleaded for a long adjournment in order to enable the prosecution team prepare well for the case.

Justice Tsoho granted the plea and adjourned the case to October 19 for continuation of hearing.

Hajj Commission Urges Intending Pilgrims To Get Immunized

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Hajj Commission Urges Intending Pilgrims To Get Immunized

Hajj pigrims

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has advised intending pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj to ensure they received Oral Polio and Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis, CSM, immunisation before their departure.

This was contained in a statement signed by Uba Mana, NAHCON’s Head of Media, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mana said that “in line with Saudi Arabian Medical Guidelines for intending pilgrims, all pilgrims for the 2016 Hajj are advised to ensure that they are immunised against Oral Polio and Cebro-Spinal Meningitis.”

He assured intending pilgrims that adequate doses of vaccines had been made available in all state capitals by the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

He also explained that intending pilgrims were expected to be fully immunised at least 10 days before their travel date, in consonance with the International Health Regulations.

The NAHCON spokesman urged all states’ Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions and licenced tour operators to ensure that all intending pilgrims acquired the genuine yellow card from state health offices.

CAN Gets New President As Members Dare Govt. In Osun

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CAN Gets New President As Members Dare Govt. In Osun
New CAN President, Supo Ayokunle
New CAN President, Supo Ayokunle

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has elected a new president, resting speculations about possible controversial leadership change.

Supo Ayokunle defeated Joseph Otubu of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement to emerge President of the association in an election that saw him score 54 votes as against Otubu’s 28.

Ayokunle is also the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention

His election is coming at a time CAN in Osun state is at logger heads with the state government over a court judgment allowing Muslim female secondary school students wear hijab to class.

The Osun chapter of the association has kicked against the judgment and had insisted Christian students too will dress to school in church garments.

Some Christian students in the state have been going to school in church garments sparking speculations about a brewing religious crisis in the state.

On Wednesday, the Vice Chairman of CAN in the state, Moses Ogundeji, said Christian students would continue to wear church garments to school adding that Governor Rauf Aregbesola should be ready to expel the students if he is against it

The Secretary of CAN, Joseph Olaide, also said while addressing a gathering that Christian students could not be stopped from wearing church garments.

He urged the residents to notify CAN if any of the students is arrested as the leadership was ready to take over the case.

Ondo Workers Impound Government Vehicles To Enforce Strike

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Ondo Workers Impound Government Vehicles To Enforce Strike
Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko
Ondo state governor, Olusegun Mimiko

Top government officials in Ondo State were shocked Wednesday when workers in the state who have been on strike for more than a week now started impounding all government-owned vehicles found plying the streets.

The labour leaders said government officials with official cars had resorted to driving themselves as government drivers took part in the strike.

The officials said all workers should be observing the strike and government business ought to close.

Local government vehicles were not spared as labour union leaders also seized them.

The workers were protesting the non-payment of five months’ salary arears

They threatened that impounded vehicles would be held until the end of the strike.

 

 

Civilian JTF Arrests 17 Insurgents, Rescue 11-Year Old Girl

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Civilian JTF Arrests 17 Insurgents, Rescue 11-Year Old Girl

Civillian JTF

Members of the Civilian JTF in kaya village, Borno state, rescued an 11-year old girl abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from Batha village and kept at a hideout in Sabon Garin Bale.

The Civilian JTF also destroyed the terrorists camp and recovered Boko Haram flags, 3 Fabrique Nationale (FN) rifle magazines, 2 AK-45 rifle magazines and 24 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition.

The villante stormed the hide out after six suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked kutuva village, killing four persons and abducting four women.

A statement by Sani Usman, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, said the terrorists however escaped with the women and that they are still being trailed. He said the women would be rescued and the insurgents arrested.

In a related development, a team of local vigilante in Damboa led by Sarkin Yaki Ali Gwoza intercepted 17 hardened Boko Haram suspects along Njaba road, south of Damboa town while on patrol.

They were among dozens of persons intercepted and interrogated.

The statement said the men confessed during preliminary interrogation that they were members of Boko Haram who were compelled to join the insurgency against their will and that they were on their way to Damboa to surrender to the military.

They attributed their decision to give up their nefarious activities to the continuing military onslaught and that life has become hard and unbearable for them.

The 17 arrested were said to be “hardened Boko Haram terrorists” trying to escape and infiltrate the society.

Similarly, a combined patrol team of 7 Division Garrison, 101 Special Forces Battalion and 3 Civilian JTF, while on clearance patrol, intercepted a Golf car with registration number BX 508 RBC, suspected to be carrying suppliers of logistics such as spare parts and Improvised Explosives making Devices materials to Boko Haram terrorists along Kayamla general area Tuesday morning.

The suspected suppliers abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush on sighting the patrol team.  The vehicle and its contents has been recovered to nearby military location.

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