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Nigerian House Of Representatives Calls For Investigation Of British Government Officials
Nigerian House Of Representatives Calls For Investigation Of British Government Officials....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian House of Representatives is set to initiate an investigation into the behavior of British government officials and their investigative agencies, such as the National Crime Agency (NCA), Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and a prosecutor named Sara Melo. This inquiry stems from allegations that these foreign entities have demonstrated disrespect for Nigeria’s judicial sovereignty and a disregard for judgments issued by Nigerian courts that absolved African businessman and Aiteo Boss, Benedict Peters, of any wrongdoing.
The catalyst for this investigation was a petition presented to the House by the African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR), a civil society group. The petition was officially adopted during a plenary session on Wednesday.
According to the petition, foreign agencies have purportedly ignored rulings from Nigerian courts and have taken actions aimed at undermining court decisions that vindicated Benedict Peters. Despite more than ten high court judgments in Nigeria that cleared Peters of any wrongdoing and dismissed fabricated allegations, British authorities have continued to implicate his name in UK proceedings, effectively undermining his innocence as affirmed by Nigerian courts.
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Aliyu Mustapha, representing Kubau Ikara Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, presented the petition on behalf of the civil society organization. The group is seeking a comprehensive legislative investigation into the ongoing defamation and undermining of Nigerian businessman Benedict Peters, with the objective of compelling the British government to cease undermining Nigeria’s judicial sovereignty and the judgments issued by competent Nigerian courts.
He emphasized that the petition is a call for the Nigerian parliament to put an end to the unwarranted attacks and abuse of the sanctity of judicial pronouncements and the rights of Nigerian citizens.
The petition, signed by ACJHR Secretary, Chisom Nduka Edede Esq, stated in part: “Sometime in 2015, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated an investigation into certain activities of Mr. Benedict Peters, CEO of AITEO Energy Resources, owners and operators of the OML 29 and the Nembe Creek Trunk Line. Unable to find any infractions, some individuals within the EFCC allegedly conspired with collaborators in the National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service in the UK to harass, intimidate, and eventually seize properties belonging to Mr. Benedict Peters and his companies.
“These properties include houses in the United Kingdom, with the apparent intention that Nigerian entities would take some while British collaborators would seize control of OML 29, which AITEO legitimately acquired from Shell Petroleum Development Company. The EFCC began by declaring Mr. Peters wanted. This action was later declared illegal and unlawful by the court, as it constituted a grave violation of Mr. Peters’ rights, particularly his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing, as stated in the Latin maxim ‘audi alteram partem,’ which means ‘hear the other side.’ From 2016 to the present day.
“At least ten courts before which Mr. Peters has appeared have consistently vindicated him and acquitted him of all charges and allegations of infractions, malfeasance, or any crime. Significantly, the FCT High Court in the case BENEDICT PETERS & 3 ORS V ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION & 6 ORS – SUIT NO. FCT/HC/CV/0536/2017 found the defendants, including EFCC, NCA, CPS, and their officials, liable for carousel fraud by suppressing and misrepresenting facts about Mr. Peters’ properties with the intention of taking them over. The court subsequently awarded damages of N200,000,000 in favor of Mr. Peters and his companies. This judgment, delivered by the court six years ago, has not been challenged by anyone. It is disheartening that despite numerous court judgments, British agencies and their officials, particularly Sarah Melo, have continued to disregard the judgments and treat them with disdain. The FCT High Court has also granted an order for these numerous judgments to be served, registered, and enforced in several countries, including the United Kingdom.”
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of peculiar allowances, welfare benefits, and exit packages for civil servants across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was disclosed on Friday in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing.
She explained that the adjustment applies to workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) as well as the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
According to her, the revised allowances have been designed to cut across all grade levels, ensuring improved earnings for both senior and junior officers.
Further details are expected to be released later.
Taiwo Oyedele has officially taken over as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy following a formal handover from his predecessor, Wale Edun.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The transition, which reportedly took place on Thursday evening, was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie.
According to the statement, the handover was concluded within the timeframe set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his inaugural address, Oyedele pledged to consolidate ongoing reforms while delivering measurable economic outcomes.
He said his administration would prioritise fiscal discipline, transparency, and improved performance across key sectors of the economy.
He also expressed his readiness to work closely with staff of the ministry to strengthen efficiency and service delivery.
Oyedele commended his predecessor, Wale Edun, for his role in advancing Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, and thanked President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary, Raymond Omachi, alongside the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Mohammed Danjuma, welcomed the new minister and assured him of the full support and cooperation of the ministry’s workforce.
During Edun’s tenure, the ministry implemented several fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue generation and economic coordination. However, the period also faced challenges, including budget implementation constraints that affected ministries, departments, and agencies.
There were also concerns over outstanding payments owed to pensioners and contractors during the same period.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of an Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, after they failed to appear in court.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The two defendants were scheduled to be arraigned alongside another accused person, Cecil Osakwe, on a nine-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
They are accused of criminal conspiracy involving the alleged forceful eviction of occupants and damage to property valued at about N300 million.
When the matter was called on Friday, the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, told the court that although the charge was filed in January 2023, arraignment had repeatedly stalled due to what she described as a consistent pattern of absence by the defendants.
She argued that neither the first nor second defendant had consistently appeared in court or informed the prosecution of their absence, insisting that a bench warrant was necessary to compel attendance.
However, counsel to Victor Giwa, Ogbu Aboje, opposed the application, informing the court that his client was absent due to illness and had submitted medical documentation to support his condition. He also urged the court to hear a pending application before proceeding further.
He asked the court to excuse Giwa’s absence, citing health challenges as the reason for his non-attendance.
In response, the prosecution maintained that arraignment is the proper starting point of any criminal trial, adding that any proceedings before it would be invalid.
The prosecution therefore urged the court to issue a bench warrant to ensure the defendants appear for arraignment.
The third defendant, Cecil Osakwe, was present in court with his lawyer, Farouk Akanbi.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Samira Bature granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the arrest of Victor Giwa, stating that the explanations and medical documents presented amounted to deliberate delay tactics.
The judge noted that the case had suffered repeated delays since it was first filed in 2023 and commenced before her court in July 2024, lamenting that arraignment had still not taken place nearly two years later.
Justice Bature stressed that courts are not venues for delay tactics, adding that the defendants had shown disregard for the judicial process by failing to appear for arraignment.
She further ruled that all pending applications could only be considered after proper arraignment, stating that the court’s jurisdiction in criminal matters becomes fully activated only after that stage.
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