The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a money laundering charge against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s lawyer Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie.

It accused him of laundering $2million ahead of this year’s general elections in which Atiku, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, contested against President Muhammadu Buhari.

EFCC said the lawyer handled the $2million without going through a financial institution.

It said the sum exceeded the amount authorised by law to be transacted in cash.

A three-count charge, signed by prosecuting Counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, was filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Giwa-Osagie and his brother Erhunse Giwa-Osagie.

EFCC said they allegedly contravened sections 18(a) and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, punishable under Section 16(2)(b).

The charges read: “That you Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie and Erhunse Giwa-Osagie, sometimes in February 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, conspired to commit an offence to wit: making cash payment of the sum of $2,000,000.00 (two million United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum exceeded the amount authorised by law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a), and 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared a notorious criminal known as Bobrisky wanted.

Wike also placed a N30 million bounty on his head. He urged anyone who has information about Bobrisky that could lead to his arrest to come forward with such information.

He also called for information about the killers of a Director with the state government, who was killed during the Choba community crisis. Bobrisky is from Gokana Local Government Area of the state.

The governor regretted that cultists had taken over youth groups across the state, necessitating the state government to proscribe all youth groups.

The Taraba state governorship tribunal on Friday granted the prayer of All Progressive Congress (APC), seeking to be re-listed in the governorship petition that had earlier been dismissed.

The Tribunal sitting in at the FCT High Court, Apo had on July 10, dismissed the petition filed by Abubakar Danladi of the APC, challenging the re-election of Gov. Darius Ishaku of the PDP in the March 9 governorship election in the state.

While delivering his ruling, the chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice M.O Adewara held that the petition filed by the APC (second petitioner), had merit and as such is granted.

He also stated that according to the electoral act, an oral application for withdrawal of the petition made by counsel for the Petitioners, Alex Akoja, was supposed to be properly documented and served on all parties involved in the petition.

The APC and Danladi had approached the Tribunal, challenging the victory of Gov. Ishaku.

The petitioners had claimed that the governor was not duly elected in the March 9 election by majority of lawful votes cast, adding that Ishaku’s reelection was invalid by reason of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

The dismissal of the petition followed an application made by counsel for the petitioners, Alex Akoja, which was predicated on the July 5 Supreme Court’s judgment which disqualified Danladi as APC candidate in the governorship election.

Arguing the motion earlier, counsel for APC, Ishaka Dikko SAN, informed that the motion seeking to re-list the petition was brought pursuant to Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Paragraph 29 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.

While saying that APC was not disputing Danladi’s right to have his name struck out of the petition, the senior advocate stated that the withdrawal of the petition had affected the party’s right to proceed with the petition.

Dikko stated that what was very clear was while withdrawing the petition on July 10, there was no formal application by motion as mandatory prescribed by the Electoral Act.

Responding to Danladi’s counter affidavit against the motion, the APC counsel stated that there was no letter from the party authorizing the withdrawal.

He urged the tribunal to discountenance the counter affidavit for the fact that it was filed outside the seven days prescribed for filing a counter affidavit by the Electoral Act.

Arguing against the APC’s motion, counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Solomon Ameh SAN, stated that the withdrawal of the petition was a matter relating to procedure.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered parties in the suit challenging the planned adoption of the indirect primary mode by the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC), not to take any steps that could affect the subject of the case pending its final determination.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo gave the order on Friday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed in the suit by some members of the Haddy Ametuo-led faction of the party – the Ex-officio, Destiny Eneojoh Aromeh; Organising Secretary, Isah Abubakar; Zonal Youth Leader, Noah Aku, and Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Joy Onu.

Justice Taiwo also granted an accelerated hearing in the case on the grounds that the APC primary for the next governorship election in Kogi is fixed for August 29, 2019

The judge ordered parties to file all the necessary documents and indicated his intention to hear the substantive suit and all pending applications on August 19, 2019.

The plaintiffs had, in their ex-parte motion, prayed the court for “an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendant by itself, its organs, agents or any person as so ever described, from adopting the indirect mode of primaries for the nomination of the governorship candidate in the forthcoming governorship primaries of 2019 in Kogi, pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

The judge took arguments on Thursday on the ex-parte motion and adjourned till today for ruling.

They are, in the main suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/833/2019, seeking to, among others, stop the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) from adopting the indirect primary model to select candidate for the August 29 primary ahead of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

Commercial motorcycle riders, (okadamen), yesterday, took to the streets of Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, protesting the killing of their colleague, Chimaobi Nwaogu, by a soldier for allegedly refusing to part with N100 bribe at a military checkpoint.

Sources told Vanguard that the motorcycle riders, who paid a condolence visit to the slain member’s family at Umuokere-Ngwa community, Obingwa Local Government Area, Abia State, called on the military authorities to unravel the soldier behind the act to serve as a deterrent to others.

They further called on the military and the government to come to the aid of his family.

Eyewitnesses said the soldier had trailed the late Chimaobi as he rode past the checkpoint and shot him dead at his village, then fled.

An eyewitness told Vanguard: “We saw a soldier on a motorcycle pursuing Chimaobi. We were wondering what may have happened, then the soldier shot him and he fell off his motorcycle. The soldier then fled.

“It is painful that life has become so cheap that a soldier can just kill without cause. Now, Chimaobi’s wife is heavily pregnant and may soon put to bed. He left three children behind. Who is going to take care of them?”

The situation caused panic in the area as youths of the community set the military checkpoint on fire, even as the soldiers watched without fighting back.

The youths took the corpse to Opobo Junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba, where they also set fire to the Police checkpoint and a patrol van.

Lagos—A Lagos Magistrate’s Court sitting in Igbosere, has ordered the remand of a housekeeper, Mercy Edeh, in prison custody, for allegedly defiling her employer’s four-year-old daughter.

Edeh, 26, is facing a two-count charge of indecent assault and defilement. But her plea was not taken.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Inspector Peace Chukwudi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on August 1, at 5p.m. at Chevron Drive, Ajah area of Lagos.

She said the defendant defiled her employer’s four-year-old daughter by fingering her private part.

Magistrate K. O. Doja-Ojo remanded the defendant in prison and said bail should be applied at the High Court, ordered the case file duplicated and sent to the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, for legal advice, and adjourned the case till September 11 for mention.

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu, has engaged the services of Taekwondo professionals to train young girls on the sport for self defence against rapists.

Mrs Akeredolu said this on Friday, when she delivered a letter to the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ondo State, Mr Undie Adie, to express her displeasure over the rising incidents of rape in the state.

The governor’s wife was on the visit to Adie’s office over the rape of a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, by soldiers at the Ikare/Akungba road checking point last week.

She vowed not to treat the issue of rape in the state with levity.

She appealed to the Police to ensure that the perpetrators were treated as criminals by prosecuting them accordingly, for violating a civilian.

According to her, soldiers are supposed to be protectors of civilians, but this incidence has proven that Ondo women are not safe with anyone, hence, the need to equip them with Taekwondo skills for self-defence.

She noted that if the case of a soldier in army uniform raping a woman was brought to the fore and perpetrators made to face the full wrath of the law, it would serve as a deterrent to others.

Mrs Akeredolu, who disclosed that she had earlier scheduled a One Million Woman Protest Against Rape in Army Uniform for Thursday, explained that she decided to suspend it so that political distractors would not capitalise on that to cause confusion.

Responding, the CP assured her that the case would be treated with all seriousness, adding that the Police have not been taking the issue of rape lightly.

Adie assured her that as soon as the Army Commander transferred the suspects to his command, they would be charged to court immediately.

(NAN)

Kwara State National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Alhaji Aliyu Issa Ore has advised that kidnapping and other violent crimes on highways can be stemmed, if illegal transport unions are banned by the government.

Ore spoke while welcoming members in the North Central states (Zone 4) to the opening of their secretariat in the Kwara State capital.

The secretariat was funded by the national body of NURTW headed by Alhaji Najeem Yasin and Kwara donated the land opposite the Ilorin International Airport.

According to him, illegal transport unions abound across the states of the federation, which often times were difficult to be held responsible for suspected involvement in the events of crimes committed on the routes they ply illegally.

He said no registration of these unions were done in the first place and so they operate freely even in these days of crimes like assassinations and robberies aided by unknown transporters and fake passengers.

His words: “Three of such unions operating in Kwara were the Nigeria Association of Cooperative Transporters (NACT), Association of Okada Riders and Taxi Owners Association.

Housemates in the ongoing BBNaija season four staged an epic fashion show as part of their runway task on Thursday night.

The Runway Task Presentation required that Housemates create a coordinated Neon Gradient-themed fashion line that reflected the 3D colour gradient of Oppo phones.

In line with the theme, the ‘Pepper Dem’ gang stepped on the runway showcasing a colourful display of stylish neon couture designs, with fancy accessories as they owned the stage.

Opening the fashion show, Gedoni’s team delivered a spectacular show with Esther making the first walk in style and grace. She led the rest of the team which consisted of Omashola, Diane, Omashola and Joe behind the camera.

Gedoni described their style as bold, daring and dangerous with an infusion of beautiful and colourful designs. Although the preparation for Frodd’s team was almost marred by arguments, the team rose from petty squabbles to putting up a mind-blowing fashion exhibition.

Venita described their outfits as colourful as they wanted to make a statement on the runway. The team went for sexy, playful and not the everyday outfit.

According to fans, the group’s strongest point was the bare-chested Mike draped with a chain like jewelry over his shoulder. Tacha led her team with Seyi, Khafi and Sir Dee as group members to present attires described as a fusion of the old and the new.

The team sought to bring the best of both worlds in order to unleash a dazzling level of creativity. Their attires also had an obvious influence of an indigenous concept and they brought the heat the stage.

Biggie acknowledged the creativity of the housemates and congratulated them at the end of the show. BBNaija (S4): Jeff evicted from ‘Pepper Dem’

Housemates hosted an after party after the show wrapped with DJ Bee Jordan spinning the wheels. Results for the challenge will be announced on Sunday. (NAN)

Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, a medical doctor, politician, former governor of Anambra State, senator and Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria, a humanist, philanthropist, political strategist, is a giant in many strides.

Ngige retired from the Ministry of Health as Deputy Director in 1998 and joined politics. He was elected as Assistant Secretary (South Zone) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which he served up on till 2003.

In 2003, as a result of the dismal performance of the then governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, it was obvious that there was a need to stop him from going for a second term. His party PDP denied him a ticket for a second term hence the need to seek for his replacement.

Fate threw up Ngige as the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in 2003 election against all political permutations and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner of the election. He was sworn in on May 29, 2003.

The same forces of political vampires that frustrated Mbadinuju came with full force on Ngige; however, Ngige demonstrated the giant in him by stoutly resisting the political vampires who wanted to empty the state till for their selfish interest.

His resistance and insistence that the public funds should be for the public good and interest knew no bounds.

The political vampires descended heavily on him and with the connivance of the leadership of the then Federal government, the state suffered casualties. The state’s public institutions were set ablaze and Ngige himself was kidnapped.

Prof Chinua Achebe, a renowned writer and poet, alluded to this in his open letter to the Federal government wherein, he rejected the honour bestowed on him by the federal authorities.

Notwithstanding, the acrimonious situation and the subterranean moves by his political detractors to decapitate his government the giant in Ngige came to the fore because, he did not take it as an alibi not to perform. He revolutionised governance and for the first time in the history of the Anambra State, the people felt good governance.

The roads were opened up and paved. The roads are still there today while the roads built by his successors are now replete with potholes and devastation.

The accumulated salaries were paid including pension arrears.

The pensioners that were once described as “dead woods” transmuted into “living wood” because they received enhanced salaries.

As development strategist, Ngige saw the need to unbundle Onitsha, a city that prides itself as the haven for the largest market in West Africa.

He relocated markets to other adjoining towns like Ogidi, Oba, Ogbunike. Today these areas are now springing up as beautiful cities to behold. Thanks also to the enhanced good road network.

As a selfless giant, he was prepared to sacrifice his exalted position instead of allowing political scavengers to steal the public funds meant for the good of the people. I recall that he was once advised by one of the party chieftains to settle the political vampires and remain in power as governor or he might lose his governorship seat. He retorted to him that he would not mind since he was not born a governor.

Ngige remains the only governor of a state who governed without security because during the political brouhaha that bedevilled Anambra State, the Federal government withdrew his security detail and left him vulnerable.

He remained undaunted and maintained law and order in the state.

It was not, therefore, surprising that Ngige lost his governorship seat in March 2006. The people mourned and wept. In appreciation of his good governance, the masses gave him delectable sobriquets such as Igbo leader, Ozoigbondu, Onwa, Onyilimagba.

He felt, however, he had laid the foundation for good governance in the state. No doubt, his successors – Peter Obi and Willy Obiano had no choice than to perform. It is true that they have not matched his performance, however, credit should be given to them that they have tried to build on his foundation.

To his political detractors, who taunted him that he did not win 2003 governorship election, Ngige demonstrated the giant in him in subsequent elections he contested. He won the Anambra Central Senatorial ticket in 2011 defeating a very popular candidate – Prof Dora Akunyili who had the strong backing of the sitting Governor Peter Obi.

As a political strategist, Ngige could read the political pendulum; he did that in 2015 when he advised his people not to put their political choice on one candidate and that the political pendulum was swinging to the North. Some of his people did not listen to him. True to his political permutations, All Progressives Congress won the presidential election vindicating him.

He was later appointed a Minister of Labour and Productivity where he discharged the job creditably. He is presently one of the ministerial nominees.

Ngige presided over and ensured that the long agitation of the workers for enhanced wages came into fruition with the increase in minimum wages.

The Ministry of Labour and Productivity came alive with activities that enhanced workers welfare, improved employees/employer relationship and creation of employment.

Though it is not yet Uhuru, however, it must be admitted that Ngige has no doubt made a positive impact, an indelible presence in the usually controversial ministry. It was, therefore, not unexpected that Ngige at the twilight of his tenure as the Minister of Labour and Productivity had issues with one of the trade union labour centres. What does one expect when one is relating with an organisation whose cardinal credo is “Aluta Continua” (The struggle continues).

Even though this piece is not meant to delve into the issues between Ngige and the trade union, suffice it to state that it is ultra vires of the trade union to question the appointment of chairmanship of a parastatal by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has the statutory right to do so. The trade union did not quarrel with Ngige over the minimum wage that benefitted all the workers. One needs not say more!

Today, Ngige has been re-appointed a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria to the cheering of the good of people of Nigeria and admirers of good performance.

One congratulates Ngige, one congratulates him also as he marks August 8, 2019 his birthday anniversary.

We need to celebrate our leaders especially those of them who have distinguished themselves in ensuring good governance and qualitative leadership.

Onwa, you are celebrated and urged to keep up with the good work. Bravo! Ngige the Giant!

Mr. Anyadubalu a lawyer, writes from 129, Okota Road, Okota Lagos Nigeria.