Court Dismisses ₦4.8 Billion Fraud Case Against Ibeto After Partial Settlement

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4 months ago

December 11, 2024

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The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has dismissed a ₦4.8 billion fraud case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Chief Cletus Ibeto, Chairman of Ibeto Energy Development Company.

The decision came after the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), requested that the charges be withdrawn, citing a partial settlement between the parties involved.

According to Jacobs, Chief Ibeto refunded ₦3.2 billion to Chief Daniel Chukwudozie, the alleged victim, as part of an out-of-court settlement facilitated by the EFCC. He explained that after the last court session, both parties entered discussions mediated by the Commission, which led to the agreement.

Jacobs stated: “Following the last court session, the parties met with the EFCC to explore settlement options, which resulted in the defendants refunding ₦3.2 billion to the Commission.”

However, he noted two unresolved issues: allegations of forgery and a disputed $3 million claim that Ibeto denies receiving from the complainant. Despite these outstanding matters, Jacobs said the EFCC decided to withdraw the case in the interest of reconciliation.

The defence counsel, Adebayo Oshodi, supported the motion to strike out the case and confirmed the settlement. However, Oshodi disputed Jacobs’ claims about unresolved issues, insisting that all matters had been resolved through the agreement.

The case began in April 2023 with a 10-count charge against Chief Ibeto, Ibeto Energy Development Company, and Odoh Holdings Ltd. The charges included conspiracy, fraud, forgery, and the use of fraudulent documents.

The trial faced delays, including Chief Ibeto’s repeated absences from court, which led the former presiding judge, Justice Ismail Ijelu, to issue a warrant for his arrest in November 2023. Subsequently, the defendants challenged the court’s jurisdiction and accused Justice Ijelu of bias, prompting the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, to reassign the case to Justice Ogala in February 2024.

While the case has been struck out following the refund and settlement, questions remain regarding the unresolved allegations of forgery and the disputed $3 million. The EFCC may revisit these issues in the future, but for now, the court’s decision brings the contentious legal battle to a close.

The settlement reflects a growing trend in Nigeria’s legal system, where alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are employed to expedite cases and reduce the backlog in courts. However, critics argue that such settlements may undermine justice in cases involving serious allegations like fraud and forgery.

NBC bans media from broadcasting Eedris Abdulkareem’s new song, Seyi Tell Your Papa.

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45 minutes ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has banned media houses from playing Eedris Abdulkareem’s latest song.

The song, titled Tell Your Papa, is a criticism of this current administration. In it, Eedris directed Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, to speak to his father about the worsening state of the country.

In Tell Your Papa, Abdulkareem sings, “Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga.”

“Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians.

“Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem,” he continues singing.

The National Broadcasting Commission has now released a circular to media houses preventing them from playing the song.

2027: Some people will learn lessons by 12 noon on election day – Joe Igbokwe

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4 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Joe Igbokwe, has declared that those nursing presidential ambitions to succeed President Bola Tinubu in 2027 will be taught a big lesson by 12 noon on election day.

He made this statement in a post on his official Facebook page while reacting to what he claimed was “fake news” being peddled by those aspiring for the top job.

He wrote, “It looks as if FAKE NEWS is what some people plan to use to win elections in 2027. Please encourage them to continue.

“By 12 noon on Election Day, some people will learn lessons they will never, ever forget in a hurry. Make we de play.”

Igbokwe, one of the party’s chieftains who campaigned vigorously for Tinubu in 2023, has consistently stated that the president will remain in power until 2031.

According to him, all the opposition figures strategizing for the 2027 elections are only wasting their time.

Cult Clash: Osun Poly announces closure, postponement of matriculation

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5 hours ago

April 10, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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The management of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, has announced a shutdown of the institution.

The announcement on Wednesday is coming after a violent confrontation involving suspected cultists near the institution’s gate on Tuesday.

The incident reportedly led to serious injuries and fears of a fatality during the clash between two rival cult groups.

Ekwutosblog had reported that a disturbing video shared on Facebook by a user, Lamina Omotoyosi, filmed during the violence, showed a man in a white shirt striking another individual with a hammer as two others stood nearby.

In the aftermath of the incident, officers from the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Osun State Police Command were deployed to restore calm around the institution.

Dr Tope Abiola, Dean of Students’ Affairs, confirmed that the violence occurred just outside the school premises and noted that several people were injured.

He further explained that the critically injured individual was a former student of the polytechnic.

“We were inside the campus when gunshots rang out. From what we gathered, one person was critically injured.

“He completed his National Diploma about two years ago. One of the other victims sustained injuries from stray bullets,” Abiola added.

The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said all injured individuals were receiving treatment at a medical facility.

He did not confirm any deaths resulting from the clash.

Reacting to the unrest, the polytechnic’s management ordered all students to proceed on a one-week mid-semester break, starting Thursday, April 10, 2025.

The Registrar, Abiodun Oloyede, in a memorandum dated April 9, 2025, also announced the indefinite postponement of the matriculation ceremony earlier scheduled for Thursday.

Students were urged to use the break to pay outstanding fees and finalise their registration, with the management warning that no further appeal shall be entertained.

The internal memo stated: “Given the pleas and appeals received from some set of students who have not been able to pay their school’s fees and have not completed their registration formalities, Management has magnanimously granted a one week mid-semester break from Thursday, April 10 to Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

“This is to allow all defaulting students to pay their school fees and complete their registration procedure. Consequently, the Matriculation Ceremony for the 2024/2025 Academic Session, earlier scheduled to hold tomorrow, Thursday, April 10 2025, has been postponed.

“A new date shall be announced in due course. All students are therefore enjoined to avail themselves of this break and pay all their fees and complete their registration as no further appeal shall be entertained.”