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Diezani Files Suit Seeking To Vacate Bench Warrant Against Her

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Diezani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum resources, has asked a federal high court in Abuja to set aside the bench warrant issued against her on July 24, 2020.

According to NAN, Alison-Madueke, in a motion on notice by Mike Ozekhome, her counsel, sought an order extending the time within which she could seek leave to apply for the order discharging the bench warrant.

The former minister, through the request, wants to strike out her name as “a defendant in charge number; FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018″.

The motion, which has FRN as complainant/respondent, had Alison-Madueke as the sole defendant/applicant.

The former minister, in a five-ground attached with the motion, filed before Mobolaji Olajuwon, the judge, said the bench warrant was issued without jurisdiction, and ought to be set aside ex debito justitiae.

She argued that it was issued in breach of her right to a fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as altered).

She further argued that she had neither been served with the charge sheet and proof of evidence in charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018, nor was there any other summons whatsoever in respect of the criminal charge pending against her before the court.

Alison-Madueke submitted that the court was misled into issuing the bench warrant against her based on suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.

“I have consistently and severally been invited for interviews by the UK national crime agency (NCA), many of which have been serially adjourned or postponed to future dates due to no fault of mine,” she said.

The former minister further alleged that almost contemporaneously, with the raid on her residence by officers of the NCA, the officials of the EFCC also broke into and raided her private residence in Abuja and carted away several documents and many items of value.

“All this was done in my absence and without any prior invitation or notice to that effect,” she said.

Alison-Madueke said she had either read in the media or been informed by close associates and relatives, about several forfeiture orders said to have been made in respect of certain monies and property in some charges or other civil proceedings all of which were usually ascribed and allegedly said to belong to her in the media.

“That I have till date has never been served with any court processes in respect of all the aforementioned charges or forfeiture proceedings in Nigeria, to enable me to respond, or defend,” she added.

She alleged that the EFCC usually collaborates with the NCA with regard to matters involving her, but had bluntly refused to do so in this particular case and in the Nigerian forfeiture cases that relate to her.

She prayed the court to vacate the order of bench warrant against her and struck out her name from the charge in the interest of justice.

Meanwhile, the hearing date was yet to be fixed at the time of filing the report.

Recall that;

The federal government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had, in an ex-parte motion, sought a bench warrant against Alison-Madueke.

Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge, who granted the order on July 24, 2020, after the anti-corruption lawyer moved the motion, directed that the former minister should be arrested by local or international police anywhere she was sighted within or outside the country.

The development followed the inability of the EFCC to extradite her back to the country from the United Kingdom where she resides to stand the money laundering trial preferred against her.

However, the case was reassigned to Olajuwon following the transfer of Ojukwu to the Calabar division of the court in 2021.

BIG STORY

Public Infrastructure Vandals Should Be Shot On Sight —— Bayo Onanuga

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Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has called for vandals of public infrastructure to be shot on sight.

Onanuga made the statement in a post on X on Sunday, while reacting to a video showing damage to an ongoing federal road project.

“Just shoot these unconscionable vandals/thieves at sight. They are the worst species of citizenships,” he wrote.

The video showed men wearing reflective jackets, emblazoned with the crest of the federal ministry of works, narrating how vandals cut and removed starter bars, also known as shoulder rods, at the reconstruction site of the Ibadan-Ilesa/Ife federal highway.

An official in the footage said the vandals removed sections of the iron bars they could access, and cut out others entirely, despite security presence at the site.

“So what happens is that we have some people vandalising these starter bars. You can see that they are pressing in some places, but all these vandals, they cut out of it, they remove the ones they could remove,” he said.

“They cut the ones that are very solid and remove the ones they can remove entirely. These are starter bars. This is a very bad thing they are doing. These are vandals, and we have security patrols.”

The Ibadan-Ilesa/Ife highway is one of the major roads being reconstructed by the federal government.

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Adron Homes Hails Ondo State at 50, Celebrates Legacy of Excellence

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The Chairman, Board of Directors, Management, and staff of Adron Group have congratulated the Government and people of Ondo State on the celebration of its 50th anniversary, describing the milestone as a significant chapter in Nigeria’s federal history and a testament to visionary leadership, resilience, and purposeful development.

In a goodwill message issued to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, Adron Group noted that since its creation in 1976, Ondo State has consistently distinguished itself as a centre of honour, intellect, and enterprise. Fondly referred to as The Sunshine State, the state has produced generations of outstanding professionals, administrators, and national leaders whose contributions continue to shape Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development.

According to the company, the strength of Ondo State lies not only in its rich cultural heritage and intellectual depth, but also in the values of integrity, diligence, and excellence that define its people. These qualities, Adron noted, have remained the bedrock of the state’s enduring relevance and national impact over the past five decades.

Adron Group further commended the state’s renewed drive in recent years towards infrastructure development, economic diversification, industrial growth, and youth empowerment, describing these initiatives as indicators of a forward-looking, inclusive development agenda anchored in sustainability and long-term prosperity.

“As a corporate organisation committed to nation-building and sustainable development, Adron Group recognises Ondo State as a strategic partner in progress,” the statement read. “We commend His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Executive Governor of Ondo State, and the leadership of the state at all levels for their dedication to public service and their commitment to the advancement of the people.”

As Ondo State marks its Golden Jubilee, Adron Group joined millions of well-wishers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, strength of character, and promise, while expressing optimism that the next fifty years will usher in greater milestones in economic vitality, social advancement, innovation, and enduring peace.

The company concluded by wishing the Government and people of Ondo State continued progress and prosperity, adding that the Sunshine State remains well-positioned to shine even brighter in the years ahead.

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Adron Homes Chairman Congratulates Oyo State on 50 Years of Progress

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The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties Limited, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has congratulated the Government and people of Oyo State as the state marks its 50th anniversary, describing the occasion as a celebration of resilience, cultural pride, and sustained progress.

He noted that since its creation, Oyo State has remained a strong contributor to Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development, emerging as a hub of commerce, education, and innovation.

According to him, the Golden Jubilee offers a moment for reflection and renewed commitment by government, private sector players, traditional institutions, and citizens toward building a more inclusive and prosperous state.

Aare Emmanuelking commended the state’s ongoing transformation through investments in infrastructure, economic expansion, and human capital development, adding that sustainable growth is deliberate and must remain purpose-driven.

He also praised the leadership of the current administration while acknowledging the contributions of past leaders whose efforts laid the foundation for today’s Oyo State.

Reaffirming Adron Homes’ commitment to national development, he described Oyo State as a land of opportunity. He wished the state continued peace and prosperity, expressing confidence that the next fifty years will bring even greater achievements for the Pace Setter State and its people.

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