latest
₦3.1bn Fraud Case: I Handed $15.8m Cash To Suswam At His Home — Witness
₦3.1bn Fraud Case: I Handed $15.8m Cash To Suswam At His Home — Witness....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Abubakar Umar, the Sixth Prosecution Witness in the trial of former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam has narrated before the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, how in 2014, he converted the sum of ₦3.1bn wired to him by Suswam as governor, and delivered its equivalent of $15.8m in cash to him at his Maitama, Abuja residence.
This was revealed in a statement by Head, Media & Publicity, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale on Saturday.
Suswan, alongside his then Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia facing 11-count amended charges of money laundering to the tune of ₦3.1bn, being part of the proceeds from the sales of the state government’s shares held on its behalf by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, sold through Elixir Securities Limited and Elixir Investment Partners Limited.
During the court’s proceedings, the witness, a bureau de change operator and CEO of Fanffash Resources, who has been testifying on the matter since 2018, first, before Justice A.R Mohammed and later Justice Okon Abang, disclosed that the total sum of Suswan, alongside his then Commissioner of Finance, Omodachi Okolobia are facing 11-count amended charges of money laundering to the tune of ₦3.1bn was transferred to him by Suswam, through a proxy in tranches with the first tranche of ₦413m hitting his account on August 8, 2014 and the remaining, coming in subsequently to sum up to ₦3.1bn.
Umar, while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, affirmed that the proxy who did the naira transfers to him was a woman.
According to the witness, he had to change a total sum of ₦3.1bn to dollars, which he said amounted to $15.8 million at the rate of ₦197 to a dollar and delivered it to Suswam in his Maitama, Abuja residence.
“One day in 2014, when I was in the office, the former governor of Benue State asked me to meet him in his house in Maitama, Abuja. I went and met him in the house together with one fair woman. He asked me to give the woman my account number. I gave the woman my Zenith Bank account number. The woman said she’ll send money into that account.
“On the 8th of August 2014, N413 million was transferred to my account. Based on this, I called the former governor and he told me to change the money to dollars and I asked him to give me time to do that. Three days after I bought the dollar equivalent, I called the former governor and informed him that the money was ready. He now asked me to take the money to his house in Maitama, near Jumat Mosque. I now told him that he should inform the security at the gate that I was coming, if not they’ll not allow me access into the gate. I took a cab to the house, and after I arrived at the house, I knocked at the gate and they opened. I told them my name. They opened the first and second gates and I sat in the waiting room where he came and met me. I now brought out the money which we both confirmed to be the equivalent of the N413 million. The exchange rate then was N197”, he said
Testifying further, he said, “On the 12th of September 2014, N637 million was transferred to my account. After N637million was transferred to my account, after like 40 minutes N363 million was also transferred into my account. On 13th October 2014, N630, 008,50, (Six Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Thousand and Fifty Naira) was also transferred to my account. On 17th October 2014 1,0068,000 (One Billion, Sixty-eight Million) was transferred to my account. It is the woman that was directed by the former governor to do the transfers. The total money transferred to my account was N3 billion”.
The witness who stated that he was neither arrested by the EFCC for giving any testimony in favor of the defendant, nor threatened by the Commission to give evidence against the defendant, further disclosed that he did not have receipts for the transactions, so also no record book for them, stating that he buys dollars from his fellow retailers and only records based on discretion.
Justice Lifu adjourned the matter till October 4,2024, for continuation of trial.
latest
‘I Paid The Price!’ Fayose Reveals Shocking Details Of His Support for Peter Obi!.
Isaac Fayose, a businessman and social commentator, has voiced his frustration regarding a perceived lack of appreciation from 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Fayose, speaking in a video released on Friday, noted that despite his significant personal financial and material contributions to Obi’s campaign—such as providing his hotel for supporters and participating in protests—he has never received a thank-you from the former Anambra State governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Response to Criticism and Meeting with Seyi Tinubu
Fayose made these remarks while defending his recent meeting with Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. Key points from his defense include:
-
Commending Seyi Tinubu: Fayose described Seyi as a “good boy” who showed him respect and appreciation by removing his cap during their encounter.
-
Political Pragmatism: He argued that maintaining cordial relations with the President’s family does not preclude him from supporting other political figures or candidates of his choice in the future.
-
Cultural and Personal Stance: Fayose, who is Yoruba, stated his admiration for President Tinubu and his son while emphasizing that this did not stop him from supporting Obi in the past.
Criticism of the ‘Obidient’ Movement
Fayose also used the platform to critique supporters of the Obidient movement. His criticisms included:
-
Alleged Ingratitude: He questioned why Obi has never reached out to express gratitude for his sacrifices, asking rhetorically if the supporters had “sent him the work”.
-
Accountability: He accused some movement supporters of being passive, claiming they are waiting for others to “liberate” them rather than taking individual action to drive political change.
-
Future Political Freedom: Expressing his disillusionment, he noted that he remains free to support any candidate, suggesting that if he chooses, he may campaign for Tinubu in the future because the movement he previously supported is “not even worth it”.
Crime
No Hiding Place: Criminal Empires Under Siege As NDLEA And NCC Declare Total War On Trafficking And Piracy!.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) have officially formed a strategic alliance to combat the interconnected threats of drug trafficking and intellectual property piracy.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Strategic Partnership Details
-
Formal Agreement: The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the NDLEA headquarters.
-
Operational Integration: The partnership includes provisions for intelligence sharing, coordinated joint operations, officer capacity building, and the exchange of technical resources.
-
Joint Working Committee: A committee will be established to ensure the agreement translates into tangible operational results.
Rationale for Collaboration
-
Shared Criminal Networks: NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), noted that criminal syndicates often engage in both narcotics trafficking and the piracy of creative works, using proceeds from one illicit activity to finance the other.
-
Economic and Social Impact: NCC Director-General, Dr. John Asein, emphasized that organized piracy is a major criminal enterprise that undermines Nigeria’s creative economy, destroys jobs, and weakens national security.
-
Intersecting Supply Chains: Both agencies identified that the same clandestine networks, transportation routes, and financial channels used for drug trafficking are frequently utilized to distribute pirated goods and launder criminal proceeds.
-
Inter-Agency Synergy: The leadership of both organizations highlighted the importance of moving away from isolated operations toward a collaborative model that leverages the specific expertise and intelligence capabilities of each agency.
The initiative aims to more effectively disrupt illegal supply chains, dismantle criminal structures, and protect both the creative sector and the general public from the influence of organized crime.
latest
‘Champion Of Faith’: President Tinubu Breaks Silence, Mourns Amaechi’s Late Mother!.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his deep condolences following the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Oduah Amaechi, the 89-year-old mother of former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Presidential Tribute
-
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu honored the late matriarch, characterizing her life as one defined by sacrifice, faith, and devotion to her family.
-
The President highlighted her steadfast commitment to the Catholic faith and her success in raising children dedicated to public service.
-
Tinubu described her character as a reflection of kindness, love, perseverance, and selflessness, which made her deeply respected by all who knew her.
Condolences and Prayers
-
President Tinubu offered his sympathies to Rotimi Amaechi, the wider Amaechi family, the Catholic community, and the people and government of Rivers State.
-
Referencing her as a “champion of faith” distinguished by humility and selfless service, the President encouraged the grieving family to find solace in the lasting legacy of dignity and service she established.
-
He concluded his message with prayers, asking for God to provide the family with comfort during their mourning and to grant Dame Amaechi eternal rest.
-
latest11 months ago“Social Media Erupts As Jim Iyke Declares Rita Dominic Nollywood’s Most Beautiful”
-
latest2 years agoEdo Political Showdown: Oshiomhole Appears At Presidential Villa As Tinubu Hands APC Gubernatorial Flag To Okpebholo (Photos & Video)
-
entertainment2 years agoLove Knows No Age American Woman Defends Marriage To Young Nigerian Man “I’m Not 70”
-
latest2 years agoOlumide Akpata Strikes Again: Drops Killer Track, Sends Edo State Into Frenzy!(Video)
-
Politics3 years agoNigerians React As Pastor Adeboye Foresees Passing Away On A Sunday After Enjoying A Satisfying Meal Of Pounded Yam
-
latest2 years agoFG Identifies 31 States At Risk Of Heavy Flooding In 2024: See Full List
-
Politics3 years agoBREAKING: Inspector-General Of Police Summons Top Police Commanders For Crucial-Security Challenges
-
latest2 years ago5 NYSC Corpers Perish In Fatal Road Accident Returning From Camp
