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₦738.6m Fraud Trial: Judge Loses Patience With Maina.
A former chairman of the now-defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, was on Thursday issued a stern warning by the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Asokoro, Abuja, over persistent delays in his ongoing trial, with the court threatening to revoke his bail.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Justice Abubakar Kutigi gave the warning after Maina’s defence team requested yet another adjournment, relying on a hospital referral letter that failed to state any specific ailment.
The judge frowned at the slow pace of the proceedings, observing that the case had been stalled for almost four years due to what he described as the defendant’s “various antics.”
Justice Kutigi noted that despite multiple opportunities to respond to the fraud charges, Maina had consistently avoided meaningful participation in the trial.
He added that the court had obtained an undertaking from the defence to proceed with the case whether or not the defendant was present, effectively dismissing the fresh application for adjournment.
After the ruling, the prosecution, led by Francis Usani, called its 14th witness, Gogi Mohammed, to the stand.
Mohammed told the court that Maina allegedly diverted public funds using officials of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation through fake contracts, unlawful allowances and a biometric enrolment exercise purportedly carried out for pensioners.
The EFCC investigator further revealed that assets allegedly linked to Maina were traced to his relative, Maimuna Usman, in Kaduna.
He said a search of her residence uncovered documents relating to more than 30 properties, mostly in Abuja and Kaduna, which were allegedly handed over to her by Maina.
According to the witness, some of the properties were purchased outright with cash, including a house in Jabi, Abuja, acquired for $2 million, and another in Life Camp bought for $1.7 million.
He also disclosed that a property on Katoru Road, Kaduna, was purchased for ₦100 million.
Mohammed added that the EFCC has filed an application seeking the forfeiture of the properties.
The court stated that the trial would continue regardless of Maina’s absence, as the protracted ₦738.6 million fraud case proceeds.
Former lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District, Rochas Okorocha, has criticised Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, describing his conduct before President Bola Tinubu as arrogant during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Okorocha made the remarks while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he faulted Uzodinma for declaring that he would be on the ballot in the 2027 election during the party’s campaign council inauguration.
According to the former governor, Uzodinma’s statement was inappropriate, particularly because the dispute over the APC senatorial ticket was still before the court.
He said: “The day of our inauguration for the PCC, Hope Uzodinma, before the President, announced that, ‘I will be on the ballot.’ That was so arrogant of anybody to say what is in court. You have already decided that you are going to win.
“When the matter is in court, you must allow the court to take a decision. You are not the court, so you can’t arrogate to yourself the power of knowing what’s going to happen.”
The development comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja declared Okorocha the winner of the APC primary for the Imo West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had ordered Uzodinma to stop presenting himself as the party’s candidate, ruling that he did not win the senatorial primary conducted on May 18 and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge held that evidence presented before the court showed that Okorocha secured the majority of votes cast during the exercise.
Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has insisted that he has no intention of leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite what he described as the humiliation and mistreatment he and his family have endured.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Okorocha made the declaration during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he discussed his prolonged disagreement with Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
The former senator recounted several incidents, including an alleged attack by thugs, an attempt on his life, the shooting of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, and the assault on his daughter.
Despite these experiences, Okorocha maintained that he would remain in the APC, stressing that he was one of the party’s founding members and would not leave for anyone.
He said: “I didn’t go against the Imo State government, so why must the Imo State government be talking on a matter? The attempted murder of my person, when one of his thugs came to attack me, if not for the grace of God, when one of his policemen came to me and spoke in Hausa that, ‘Please leave this place or they will kill you.’
“Or is it the shooting of my in-law, and he was in hospital for nine months, or the handcuffing of Uche Nwosu as a criminal? They went to a church and shot before arresting him. Is it that which was resolved?
“No one in this country will take the humiliations that I have taken. No one in this country or in this world has taken the humiliation.
“Having seen my daughter beaten, her husband handcuffed, police officers macheted all over, and we are still members of the APC.
“I founded this party, and the name APC was given by Rochas Okorocha. Ask anybody, I was among the founding fathers of this party, and so I will not leave the party for anybody.”
Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has responded to a social media user who questioned her decision to describe herself as an African Baddie.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The controversy began after a man took to social media to criticise the singer for using the title, arguing that a woman in her 40s should not refer to herself as a baddie.
He wrote: “African baddie at 40… this one no serious.”
Reacting to the comment, the singer disclosed that she is 46 years old and expressed confidence in her appearance, financial status and music career.
Tiwa Savage also dismissed the criticism, noting that she was unbothered by the man’s opinion as she prepared to release her new song, African Baddie.
She wrote: “46, fine, paid, unbothered and dropping my super hottttt record ‘African Baddie’ on Friday. What exactly is the problem, boy?😂 #AfricanBaddie.”
In a related development, Tiwa Savage recently reacted after popular TikTok personalities Peller and Jarvis asked her to become the godmother of their unborn child during a livestream.
The request was made during a conversation involving the singer and the social media couple, who are expecting a child together.
Responding, Tiwa Savage said she would have to pray and seek God’s approval before accepting the responsibility.
The singer explained that she believes God should be consulted before making important life decisions, adding that she would want to be certain the request aligns with His will.
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