Connect with us


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was on Wednesday (today) ordered to produce the Chairman of Innosson Motors Limited, Innocent Chukwuma for arraignment.

The order was issued by a Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting at Ikeja, presided over by Justice Olusola Williams.

The judge arrived at the decision consequent upon the absence of the business mogul, who had earlier been slated for arraignment over allegation of forgery made against him by the anti-graft agency.

According to Justice Williams, “I believe it is the job of the prosecution to bring the defendant to court because they are the Executives.

“The judge is just to make an order that he should appear in court but we cannot enforce the order, the responsibility still lies on the EFCC to make sure he is in court.”

It would be recalled that Chukwuma had failed to appear before Justice Mojisola Dada of the same court.

This would be the sixth time the defendant refused to appear before the court.

His failure to appear before the court had equally prompted Justice Dada to declared the transport mogul wanted on the request of the EFCC.

But on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, Justice Dada had to recuse herself after responding to the petition filed by Chukwuma against her on February 12, 2018.

The criminal matter was then re-assugned to Justice Williams for arraignment.

During proceedings on the matter today, lawyer to the EFCC, A.B.C Ozioko told Justice Williams that, “My lord, it appears that the second defendant and my learned colleagues from the other side are not in court.

“He has refused to come for his arraignment for the sixth time even when the matter was before your learned brother, Justice Dada despite all efforts to bring him here.

“He has also filed seven different applications in-between the period he was supposed to be arraigned.

“My lord, in view of the absence of the defendant, we shall be asking for an adjournment date.”

Before adjourning the matter until October 10, 2018, Justice Williams held that the Commission should do everything within its powers to ensure the production of Chukwuma in court.

Justice Williams said, “It is the prosecution’s duty to make sure the defendant is in court to answer his case.

“I can’t be issuing an order to a defendant that seems not to be existing.

“I will give you a date and anytime you are able to arrest the defendant, just inform the court registrars and bring him to court for arraignment.”

Specifically, Chukwuma alongside his firm, Innoson Motors Nigeria Limited were to be docked on a four-count charge of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretences, obtaining property by false pretences, stealing and forgery in a transaction with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB).

The said offence was alleged to have been committed between 2009 and July 2011 in Lagos.

It was the contention of the anti-graft agency that the defendants with intent to defraud; conspired to obtain by false pretences containers of motorcycle, spare parts and raw materials, being property of GTBank from Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, Apapa, Lagos.

The defendants were further alleged to have fraudulently induced staff of Mitsui OSK and Maersk Line to deliver to them via their clearing agents the goods which were imported from China in the name of GTBank by falsely pretending that they were authorised by the bank to clear the goods.

The prosecution claimed that the defendants in order to facilitate the fraud forged a bill of lading numbered 598286020 of Maersk Line Limited and 11007950841 of Mutsui O.S.K Lines by knowingly putting a false GTB stamp and signature of the bank staff.

The alleged forgery was in order that the forged documents be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of any person within Lagos or elsewhere.

The offences contravened Sections 1(1)(b), 1(3), and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2016 and Sections 309(9), 388, 465 and 467(1)(j) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

Uncategorized

Michael Abimboye Speaks On Food Items, Palliative To Ode-Omu Residents

Published

on

  • “Why we target aged, widows, and other vulnerables. Here is what this got to do with Governor Ademola Adeleke.”

 

Michael Abimboye, a Nigerian political communication consultant and journalist, has supported Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke’s palliative measures through the distribution of food items to residents of Ode-Omu communities in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the State.

Abimboye, who distributed the food items on Friday, September 6, said the Osun government has in the last few months, shown a high sense of responsibility through its commitment to alleviating the suffering of the masses.

In June, Adeleke-led government distributed rice palliative under the State Government Food Security Program in a bid to alleviate food scarcity and ensure food security. The distribution targeted a wide array of registered groups to ensure that the palliative reaches diverse segments of the population.

Among the beneficiaries are Labour Unions, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Civil Society Organizations, the Union of Pensioners, various Security Outfits, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Religious Associations, Market Unions, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), among other registered associations.

Before then, Adeleke rolled out free medical outreach in the state as palliative to cushion the effect of high cost of living. The Imole free medical outreach took place in Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Ede, Iwo, Ila, and Osogbo.

On his part, Abimboye, who is following the political footprint of Adeleke in Odeomu through the distribution of food items, emphasised the importance of the palliatives in mitigating the effects of food insecurity exacerbated by various socio-economic challenges.

“The governor has laid down a very good foundation, and the best we can do is to support his initiative. I am distributing palliatives in Ode-omu and its environs as part of my commitments to supporting the most vulnerable in our society,” he stated. “The economic situation in the country is terrible, and the little we can do for our people is to ensure that essential food items are accessible to provide relief and promote stability.”

“We’ve looked out for the aged, widows, and other vulnerables. Our goal is to ensure that they don’t beg to put food on their tables. Adeleke’s government has shown that it’s ready to address food insecurity, and the best I can do to support the state governor is to echo his proactive measures.

“I have come to distribute the food items myself because I want the beneficiaries to be those who really need them and would make judicious use of the palliatives,” Abimboye said.

He also urged other indigenes of Osun at home and in diaspora to continue to support the governor’s strides towards leading Osun to a promised land and eradicate poverty in the state.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

BREAKING: DSS Takes Over SERAP Abuja Office

Published

on

The Abuja office of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has been taken over by officers from the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement released on Monday, SERAP denounced the action as an “unlawful occupation.”

The statement revealed that the DSS officers are demanding a meeting with SERAP’s directors.

“President Tinubu must immediately direct the SSS to end the harassment, intimidation and attack on the rights of Nigerians,” SERAP urged.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the organisation urged Tinubu to leverage his leadership and authority to instruct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to promptly reverse the seemingly illegal and unconstitutional hike in the pump price of premium motor spirit, commonly known as petrol, at its retail outlets.

 

More to come…

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

BREAKING: NLC Begins Closed-Door Meeting Over Ajaero’s Arrest

Published

on

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has convened a closed-door meeting following the detention of its President, Joe Ajaero, by the Nigerian government.

NLC’s Head of Public Relations, Benson Upah, confirmed the meeting on Monday.

Upah stated that Ajaero was seized by agents of the Nigerian State without a legal warrant or formal instrument.

Furthermore, Upah expressed concern that Ajaero’s whereabouts and health status remain unknown.

The NLC has condemned the detention as a “brazen act of lawlessness and intimidation” and demanded Ajaero’s immediate and unconditional release.

“The Congress has also called on the international community, human rights organizations, and democracy advocates to take note of the rising wave of authoritarianism in Nigeria.”

Ajaero was set to address the Trade Union Congress in the UK on behalf of Nigerian workers, discussing critical issues like workers’ rights, social justice, and economic fairness.

Upah said, “The NLC has put its affiliates, state councils, and civil society allies on high alert and vowed to protect workers’ rights and not be cowed by oppressive tactics.

“The Congress is currently holding a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, and the outcome will be made public soon.”

 

More to come…

Continue Reading

Most Popular