Connect with us

EVENTS

BREAKING: Alleged N19.4bn fraud: Court grants Sirika, brother N200m bail

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Thursday, granted the former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, bail in the sum of N100 million each and 2 sureties.

One of the sureties must own a landed property in the Federal Capital Territory, in like sum.

The court also held that the defendants are not to travel outside the shores of Nigeria without the permission of the court.

While delivering the ruling on the bail application, Justice Belgore held that “I see no reason to depart from the conditions granted by my learned brother”.

He then went ahead to grant them bail in the same condition as Justice Sylvanus Oriji, of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

Ruling on the motion on notice for the 1st defendant, Hadi Sirika, the court held that “The prosecution filed no counter affidavit. He is already on administrative bail, he met all the bail applications, he continues to abide by the bail conditions, he has never been convicted of any criminal offence in Nigeria, he is a recipient of National honours, he has an aged mother he is catering for an investigation in the case has been completed.

“It is my resolution that this applicant deserves to be admitted to bail and I so do,” Justice Belgore declared.

Concerning Sirika’s brother, ruling on the motion on notice, brought pursuant to Sections 158, 156 and 135 of ACJA, where he requested a sole relief (bail).

The trial judge granted him bail in the same terms and conditions as the 1st defendant (Sirika).

The Sirika brothers, and the company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing a ten-count amended charge bordering on contract fraud to the tune of N19.4bn.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on his brother and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited.

The contracts for which the sums were paid for, were also said to be undone with no trace of work done to date.

After the duo were docked, the EFCC had read out the charges to them, which they pled not guilty to.

Sirika’s lawyer, Micheal Noma (SAN), appealed to the court to grant his client bail.

Likewise Ahmad’s lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN). He pleaded with the court to grant the 2nd defendant bail as he is a responsible citizen of Nigeria.

Noma said, “We urge your lordship to please grant the defendants bail.”

Magaji while putting out his grounds on why his client should be granted bail said, “The second defendant filed an application seeking the indulgence of this honourable court for bail.

“The said application is dated and filed May 20, 2024. We have served the complainants. The application is brought pursuant to Section 168, Section 162 and Section 163 of the ACJA 2015.

“The application is praying for the following orders. The order of this honourable court asking the defendant to bail pending the hearing and determination of this trial.

“Our application is predicated on 10 grounds. The application is also supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit. My lord the 2nd defendant himself, deposed to the affidavit. we seek to rely on all the deposition herein on page 8. We pray your lordship to grant all the deposition”.

Ahmad through his lawyer further appealed saying, “We urge your lordship to grant the application as prayed. The prosecution has not filed a counter. That to me shows the prosecution wants to quickly prove their case on the 2nd defendant.

EVENTS

Alleged Unprofessionalism: Imo Police Commissioner orders investigation of Anti-Narcotics unit, SCID

Published

on

Spread the love

The Imo State Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegation levelled against the command’s Anti-Narcotics Unit and the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, as displayed in the social media.

The disclosure was made by the command public relations officer ASP Henry Okoye in a press statement.

He stated that the investigation panel according to the directives from the Police Commissioner will be headed by the Assistant Commissioner of police in charge of the IGP X Squad.

According to the press statement, the investigation aims to ascertain the facts and ensure that justice is served.

ASP Okoye informed that the accusation was coming from a film production outfit known as Young C Entertainment who accused the Unit and the SCID of inhuman treatment.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police is assuring the general public that any officer found culpable as regards the allegation will face appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the Force’s regulations and that the supervising officer will also be sanctioned.

As part of the investigation process the complainant and his film production crew have been urged by the command to report to the IGP X-Squad, Owerri to assist in the investigation process.

“The Imo State Police Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens as further updates on this matter will be provided in due time,” he assured.

Continue Reading

EVENTS

Kwara Courts Jail Six for Internet Fraud in Ilorin

Published

on

Spread the love

 

The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, October 14, 2024 secured the conviction of six persons for offences bordering on internet fraud before Justices Sulaiman Akanbi and Adebayo Yusuf of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin.

The convicts are Idris Muhammed, Ismail Temitope Mustapha, Oyekola Odunayo, Anthony Slyvester Stephen, Timilehin Adeniyi and Olayiwola Ayomide Abdulmalik.

Justice Akanbi jailed Idris, Ismail, Oyekola and Anthony while the duo of Timilehin and Olayiwola were convicted by Justice Yusuf.
The charge against Idris reads:
“That you, IDRIS MUHAMMED on or about the 13th day of July 2024 to 13th of August 2024 in Ilorin within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did cheat by personation, when you pretended to be one Dorthy Onanewlevel Palmer and fraudulently deceived one Lavergne Adriana Racheal to send $600 (Six Hundred Dollars) to you via cash app and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

The charge against Ismail reads: “That you, Ismail Temitope Mustapha (Alias: Myre Roddy) sometime between the year 2022 and 2023 within the Judicial division of the High Court, did cheat by personation, when you pretended to be one Myre Roddy vide Tik Tok account @roddy0s3 and induced one Ron Woldron to part with the gross sum of $500 (Five Hundred Dollars) vide apple gift cards; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the Penal Code.

The defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Upon their pleas, Prosecution counsel, Andrew Akoja and Victoria Igodo tendered the extra-judicial statements of the defendants, items recovered from them at the point of arrest and monies that they benefited from the illegal activities, which the court admitted in evidence.

Consequently, Justice Akanbi sentenced Idris to two years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) and ordered the forfeiture of his iphone 13, and the sum of $300 (Three Hundred Dollars), which he raised as restitution to the Federal Government.

The court sentenced Ismail to one year imprisonment with an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only), while ordering the forfeiture of his iphone 11 promax and $300USD to the Federal Government.

Oyekola also bagged one year imprisonment on count one with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira only), two years imprisonment on count two with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) and two weeks community service on count three and a fine of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only). The sum of $300 and N34,900 recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Similarly, the court sentenced Anthony to one year imprisonment with an option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) and ordered that the iphone 12 and the sum of $25 which he benefited from the unlawful activities be forfeited to the Federal Government.

In a similar fashion, Justice Yusuf sentenced the duo of Timilehin and Olayiwola to six months imprisonment with an option of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira only) each. The convicts’ phones and the monies they brought as restitution were forfeited to the Federal Government.

All the convicts bagged their imprisonment when they were arrested for internet-related offences. They were later prosecuted and convicted.

Visit www.efcc.gov.ng for more stories

Continue Reading

EVENTS

Nollywood Star Omoni Oboli Overwhelmed with Emotion as She Receives Luxury SUV Gift at Movie Premiere

Published

on

Spread the love

 

Renowned actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli was visibly moved to tears on Sunday, October 13, 2024, when she received a surprise brand-new SUV at the star-studded premiere of her latest film, “The Uprising,” in Lagos.

The extravagant gesture, courtesy of her partners, aimed to celebrate Omoni’s tireless efforts and dedication to the film industry.

Taking to social media, Omoni expressed her gratitude, stating, “This gift transcends a mere vehicle; it symbolizes my growth, passion, and impact on Nollywood’s evolution.”

The glamorous event drew an impressive array of celebrities.

Photo source: Instagram

Continue Reading

Trending