Connect with us

latest

₦3.6B Fraud Case: EFCC Challenges Verdict Clearing Omatsuli And Firms!.

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a detailed appeal at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, challenging the acquittal of former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director, Touyo Omatsuli, and three others over an alleged ₦3.645 billion money laundering scheme.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appeal follows the Federal High Court, Lagos, ruling by Justice Daniel Osiagor, which discharged and acquitted the defendants on all 46 counts, including money laundering, conspiracy, and failure to comply with statutory reporting obligations.

The respondents in the appeal include Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh, and Building Associates Limited. The EFCC is represented by a team of lawyers led by E.E. Iheanacho (SAN), alongside Bilikisu Bala Buhari, Emenike Mgbenmele, O.S. Ujam, Famen Anum, M.A. Babatunde, and Lydia Ebenezer.

In its Notice of Appeal, the EFCC argued that the trial court erred in law and failed to properly evaluate extensive evidence, including testimonies from 16 witnesses and numerous documents. The Commission also contended that the court ignored prior appellate rulings affirming that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants.

The EFCC maintained that the trial judge wrongly concluded that no evidence linked the respondents to the alleged offences, despite earlier appellate findings supporting the credibility of the prosecution’s evidence. It further argued that the ₦3.645 billion traced to the first respondent represented unlawful gratification rather than legitimate payments, and that the funds were laundered through proxies and corporate accounts to acquire high-value properties.

According to the Commission, the alleged scheme involved:

  • The first respondent nominating accounts to receive funds
  • The third and fourth respondents facilitating transfers and conversions
  • Acquisition of properties via corporate entities and foreign currency transactions to conceal origins
  • Post-investigation cover-up actions, including restructuring ownership, relinquishing shares, and creating backdated documents

The EFCC criticized the trial court for relying on selective portions of cross-examination while ignoring the full scope of the prosecution’s case. It argued that there were no material contradictions in the testimonies of key witnesses, and that documentary exhibits corroborated their evidence.

The Commission also maintained that the court misinterpreted anti-corruption laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which prohibit public officers from receiving benefits tied to official duties.

On criminal intent, the EFCC argued that knowledge of wrongdoing can be inferred from surrounding circumstances, as provided under the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, and that the companies involved failed to report suspicious transactions, as required by law.

The EFCC is urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the Federal High Court’s judgment, allow the appeal, convict the respondents, and issue any further orders deemed appropriate in the case.

Advertisement

latest

FG Unveils New Curriculum, Announces Fresh Rules For Colleges Of Education To Award Degrees

Published

on

The Federal Government has cautioned colleges of education against introducing degree programmes without first ensuring they have qualified lecturers, adequate classrooms and the necessary facilities to deliver quality education.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja while unveiling a new curriculum and a five-year strategic plan for colleges of education across the country.

According to Naija News, Ahmad described the decision to allow colleges of education to award degrees alongside the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) as a positive development but stressed that academic standards must not be compromised.

She explained that institutions must demonstrate that they have qualified teaching staff, adequate infrastructure and effective quality assurance mechanisms before introducing or expanding degree programmes.

The minister noted that the success of the policy should not be measured by the number of colleges offering degrees but by the quality of teachers they produce.

She also charged the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) with ensuring that institutions fully understand and effectively implement the revised curriculum.

Ahmad urged college managements to align their budgets, recruitment plans and infrastructure development projects with the broader education reform agenda.

She further called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, the NCCE, the National Universities Commission (NUC) and college administrators to prevent confusion over their respective regulatory responsibilities.

Speaking at the national retreat and workshop on implementing the dual mandate and the NCCE Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, NCCE Executive Secretary, Dr Angela Ajala, said the reforms were designed to produce teachers capable of meeting the changing demands of schools and learners.

Ajala stressed that colleges of education must go beyond issuing certificates and focus on preparing students with the practical skills required for effective teaching.

She explained that the revised curriculum would equip trainee teachers with digital skills, inclusive education practices, entrepreneurship knowledge and modern teaching techniques.

According to her, the curriculum was developed through contributions from academics, curriculum specialists, professional bodies and regulatory agencies.

She added that the changes would provide student teachers with more practical experience and better prepare them for the realities of classroom teaching.

However, Ajala warned that the reforms would have limited impact without qualified lecturers, modern teaching equipment and adequate funding.

She urged provosts and other college administrators to assess their institutions’ readiness to implement the new policy, particularly in the areas of staffing, infrastructure, funding and administration.

The minister formally unveiled the revised curriculum alongside the NCCE’s strategic plan covering 2026 to 2031 at the Abuja event.

The plan is expected to guide colleges of education in strengthening their academic programmes and preparing students for careers in teaching.

Ahmad urged education officials and college administrators to work together to ensure the reforms improve teacher training and raise the overall quality of education in Nigeria.

Continue Reading

latest

2027 Election: Ex-Minister Sambo Declares Support For Tinubu’s Re-Election.

Published

on

Former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, has declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, urging Nigerians to give the president more time to complete his economic reforms.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sambo made the remarks in Jalingo, Taraba State, where he expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would perform strongly in the 2027 general elections.

The former minister, who previously served as Minister of State for Works and Housing before becoming Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari, coordinated the Tinubu/Shettima campaign in Taraba State during the 2023 elections.

While acknowledging the economic hardship and rising cost of living affecting Nigerians, Sambo argued that the sacrifices being experienced were necessary to achieve lasting economic and financial stability.

“We are not oblivious to the feedback from the common man and the general increase in cost of living. However, we believe that the sacrifices being made today are necessary for enduring economic and financial stability,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the situation would improve as the administration’s reforms and infrastructure investments begin to produce results.

“Nigerians can rest assured that it will get better. I firmly believe that the reforms, coupled with other interventions, including increased spending on infrastructure projects, will ultimately translate into long-term economic stability and prosperity for the people,” Sambo stated.

However, the former Taraba governorship aspirant acknowledged that the administration’s achievements were not being adequately communicated to Nigerians.

He urged government officials and APC stakeholders to explain the benefits of the president’s policies in simple terms that ordinary citizens could understand.

“Undoubtedly, PBAT is working, but we need men and women who will translate the impact of his work into simple terms that the common man on the street can understand. Many people are not adequately explaining the benefits of these reforms, either in the short or over the long term,” he said.

Sambo also called on Nigerians and political leaders to support Tinubu’s national development agenda.

“I believe it is high time all of us joined hands with President Tinubu to build our country,” he added.

The former minister expressed optimism that the APC would secure widespread support across the country in the 2027 elections.

Continue Reading

latest

‘Northerners Are Their Own Problem’ – Uba Sani Fires Back At Tinubu’s Critics.

Published

on

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has blamed northern political leaders for the persistent poverty and developmental challenges facing the region, urging them to take responsibility for their past failures rather than shifting the blame to the current administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The governor made the remarks while defending his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that he would continue to stand by the president despite the economic hardship and rising cost of living affecting Nigerians.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust on Tuesday, Sani argued that northern leaders needed to examine their records and acknowledge their contributions to the region’s longstanding problems.

“The northerners are their own problem. We shouldn’t run away. The only way to help, I think, is for us to sit down and look at ourselves in the mirror, and accept that we are the problem,” he said.

Sani maintained that poverty in northern Nigeria did not begin with Tinubu’s administration, although he acknowledged that the region’s difficulties had worsened over the years.

He likened the situation to a dilapidated building that had been neglected for so long that restoring it had become increasingly difficult.

According to the governor, northern political leaders must accept responsibility for their past shortcomings instead of blaming the current administration for every challenge confronting the region.

He said he had previously called on leaders in the North to reflect on their performance and admit that they had disappointed the people, but his appeals had not received sufficient attention.

Despite public dissatisfaction over economic hardship and the rising cost of living, Sani insisted that he had no regrets about backing Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“I have no apology supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and I will continue to support him till the last minute,” he declared.

When asked whether he was prepared to take political risks for the president, the governor expressed confidence that his decision would eventually be vindicated.

“I can tell you today, tomorrow, and next tomorrow, that I will be vindicated,” he said.

Sani explained that his support for Tinubu was partly rooted in their longstanding relationship, which dates back to 1994, when both men were involved in the struggle to restore democracy in Nigeria.

He recalled Tinubu’s association with the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and his support for pro-democracy activists during military rule, when some campaigners were forced into exile.

The governor said their shared commitment to democracy and the devolution of power had shaped his perception of the president.

He also argued that Tinubu’s administration had delivered benefits to Kaduna State through federal projects and appointments.

Among the projects he highlighted were the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Southern Kaduna, the Federal University of Education in Zaria, the Federal University of Petroleum Resources in Rigachikun and a proposed conversion of Kaduna Polytechnic into a federal university of technology.

He also cited the reconstruction of the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road and the appointment of Kaduna indigenes to senior positions in the Federal Government.

According to Sani, these developments were benefits to the state rather than personal favours to him.

“The favour he has done is not to me, because he has not given me. It’s to the state,” he said.

The governor further challenged opposition parties to present credible alternatives to Tinubu instead of merely urging Nigerians to reject the president in the 2027 election.

“When you say don’t vote for Asiwaju, you must bring an alternative,” he stated.

Sani maintained that opposition parties seeking to replace Tinubu must convince Nigerians that they have better policies and plans to address the country’s challenges.

On security concerns in Kaduna State, the governor acknowledged that attacks remained a challenge, particularly in Millennium City.

He said he had discussed the situation with military and other security officials, adding that plans were underway to strengthen security operations in the area.

Continue Reading

Trending