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N1.2bn fraud: EFCC appeals ruling upholding no-case submission of EFCC ally
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed an appeal challenging the judgement by the Federal High Court, which acquitted Abiodun Agbele, an associate of the former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and three others, in the N1.2bn money laundering charge brought against them by the commission.
In a notice, the commission faulted Justice Nnamdi Dimgba’s ruling, which stated that Agbele, Sylvan Mcnamara Limited, De Privateer Limited, and Spotless Investment Limited do not have a case to answer.
The defendants are standing trial on a 24-count amended charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.219 billion.
The N1.2bn is said to be part of the sum of N4.7 billion belonging to the Federal Government and allegedly transferred from an account associated with the Office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
However, in June, Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court Abuja upheld the no case submission application filed by the defendants.
In the notice of appeal, the EFCC, through its prosecuting counsel, Senior Advocate of Wahab Shittu, listed 17 grounds of appeal and sought two reliefs from the Court of Appeal.
First, it sought an order allowing the appeal set aside the ruling of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and in its place holding that the 1st, 3rd and 4th respondents have a case to answer on several counts of the amended charge.
The commission also sought an order directing the 1st, 3rd and 4th respondents to enter into their defence before the trial court.
The EFCC expressed its dissatisfaction with the whole decision of the lower court June 21 ruling.
The commission said there is overwhelming evidence that N1.219 million from the account of the National Security Adviser, NSA, of Nigeria domiciled with CBN and earmarked for security purposes and paid into the account of the 2nd respondent by the office of the NSA was unlawfully diverted by the 1st, 3rd and 4th respondents to fund Fayose’s governorship election.
It said that the “trial court erred in law in using the ongoing proceedings before another court of competent jurisdiction to determine the merits of the proceedings before the trial court.”
CREDIT: DAILY POST
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
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