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Court set to deliver verdict on ownership of $9.8m cash seized from ex-NNPC GMD
The former Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Andrew Yakubu, is set to learn the outcome of his case on November 1, which revolves around his attempt to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return $9.8 million in cash that was seized from his Kaduna residence in 2017. The cash has been allegedly held by the anti-graft agency in defiance of a standing court order.
Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo has scheduled November 1 as the date for delivering the judgment in this matter. Yakubu filed a lawsuit against the EFCC, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and a commercial bank due to their refusal to release the money, despite a high court in Abuja clearing him of money laundering charges filed against him by the EFCC.
In March 31, 2022, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the money laundering charges brought against Yakubu after the EFCC discovered $9,772,800 and £74,000 in an apartment associated with him in 2017. The EFCC had sought to convict Yakubu for money laundering and requested the forfeiture of the money to the Federal Government. However, Ahmed Raji, SAN, the lawyer representing the former NNPC GMD, argued that the money found in Yakubu’s house were gifts from friends and associates.
Justice Mohammed concurred with the defendant’s arguments, acquitted Yakubu, and ordered the release of his money, a directive that the EFCC did not comply with. Yakubu’s lawyer returned to court, asserting that the money had not been released as ordered by the court.
Through an originating summons, he asked the court to compel the release of the money, or alternatively, direct that the money be deposited with the Federal High Court Registrar while the suit is being determined. The EFCC, represented by its lawyer, Faruk Abdullah, objected to the application, citing appeals that had been filed with the Court of Appeal in Abuja against the judgment of the Federal High Court.
During the proceedings on Monday, Justice Ekwo heard arguments from the involved parties and scheduled November 1 as the date to render a verdict on whether to mandate the EFCC to release the money or not.
On Monday, a Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja issued a temporary order preventing Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, from raising their tariffs and the prices of their products and services, which were set to commence on May 1.
The three-member tribunal, led by Saratu Shafii, granted the interim injunction after an ex-parte motion presented by Ejiro Awaritoma, the counsel representing Festus Onifade, the applicant.
In its ruling, the tribunal instructed Multichoice to halt its planned price hike scheduled to take effect from May 1 until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Shafii emphasized, “The 1st defendant is hereby restrained from taking any action(s) that may adversely impact the rights of the claimant and other consumers regarding the case until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The tribunal directed all involved parties to appear before it on May 7 at 10 am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Onifade, in the case labeled: CCPT/OP/2/2024, brought Multichoice Nigeria Ltd and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) before the tribunal.
In the lawsuit filed on April 29, Onifade, who is also a legal practitioner, sought two injunctions:
- An interim injunction to prevent the 1st defendant from implementing the impending price increase scheduled for May 1, 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
- An injunction to prevent the 1st defendant from taking any actions that might harm the rights of the claimant and other consumers concerning the case, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The other members of the tribunal include Thomas Okosun and Dr. Umar Duhu.
The 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results have been released by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). According to DAILY POST, the examination was taken by over 1.94 million candidates across 118 towns and over 700 centers nationwide.
During the announcement of the results in Bwari, Abuja, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed that a total of 1,989,668 candidates registered for the exam, marking a 24.7 percent increase compared to 2023. Among the registered candidates, 1,904,189 were present and verified, 2,899 were present but not verified, and 80,810 were absent.
Finidi George has been appointed as the new coach of the Super Eagles.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Finidi’s appointment on Monday in a statement on its official website.
The statement reads in part,
The Board of Nigeria Football Federation on Monday approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Committee to appoint former ace winger Finidi George as Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles.
George, who spent 20 months as assistant to José Santos Peseiro before the Portuguese voluntarily left the post following the accomplishment of Africa Cup of Nations runner-up position at Cote d’Ivoire 2023, took charge of the squad in interim capacity during two friendly matches in Morocco last month.
CREDIT: mcebiscoo
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