Connect with us

BIG STORY

Ataga’s Murder: Chidinma To Testify On Thursday In Trial-Within-Trial

Published

on

Chidinma Ojukwu, the alleged murderer of the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, will on Thursday testify before a Lagos State High Court sitting at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, in a trial within trial to ascertain whether she was coaxed, pressured or induced to make a statement that she killed Ataga by herself.

 

Chidinma, a 300-level Mass Communication undergraduate, of the University of Lagos, is standing trial over the alleged murder of Ataga.

 

She is also charged with stealing and forgery alongside one Adedapo Quadri and her sister, Chioma Egbuchu.

 

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the Deputy Director of Prosecution, Adenike Oluwafemi, told the court that the matter was for the continuation of a trial within trial and that her witness (Olufunke Madeyinlo) was in court.

 

The first defendant’s counsel, Onwuka Egwu, announced his appearance, while the second defendant’s counsel, Babatunde Busari, as well as the third defendant’s counsel,  F.O Ilesanmi, also announced their appearance.

 

Oluwafemi then called the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Madeyinlo, who was part of the team that arrested and interrogated the first defendant, to give her testimony in the trial within trial.

 

Madeyinlo said on June 24, 2021, the Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide Section, Panti, Yaba, Razak Oseni, brought Chidinma to her office to write a statement.

 

She said she gave Chidinma a statement form and a pen, thereafter, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Adegoke Fayoade, sent for Oseni and he left the first defendant in her office.

 

The witness, who testified as the second prosecution witness in the trial within trial, said after about 40 minutes, Oseni came back to her office to collect the statement Chidinma had written.

 

Madeyinlo said, “Oseni collected the statement and went away with the first defendant, but nothing happened and nobody forced her to write the statement; she wrote the statement herself.”

 

During cross-examination by Chidinma’s lawyer, Egwu, the witness said she shared her office with three other officers, ASP Gbolahan Jemiyo, ASP Gbola Alabi, and Inspector Kolawole Lukman.

 

When asked if it was after Jemiyo had assaulted Ojukwu that her statement was taken, Madeyinlo said it was only herself and Alabi that were present when the defendant made her statement.

 

Asked if she interacted with Chidinma while she was writing her statement, Madeyinlo answered in the affirmative.

 

Egwu asked the witness if she gave a 10-year-old girl her wrapper to cover herself for the night between June 23 and 24, 2021, she said she could not remember as it had been long.

 

When confronted with the fact that the foster father of the first defendant, Onoh Ojukwu, was also in custody within the same period, Madeyinlo said, “I saw (Onoh) Ojukwu moving freely. Somebody that is in custody cannot be moving like that.”

 

Asked if she knew what happened to the statement Chidinma made on June 24, the witness answered that she did not know.

 

However, Justice Yetunde Adesanya adjourned the case till October 17, for the first defendant to testify in the trial within trial.

BIG STORY

Access Holdings’ Shareholders Unanimously Back Capital Raising Plan, Hail Aig-Imoukhuede’s Return As Chairman

Published

on

  • Re-elect Olusegun Ogbonnewo, Ojinika Olaghere as a Non-Executive Directors

 

The shareholders of Access Holdings Plc (“Access Holdings” or “the Group”) at the 2nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Friday, April 19, 2024, unanimously backed the Group’s plan to establish a capital raising programme of up to US$1.5 billion as well as the subset initiative to raise up to N365 billion, specifically, through a Rights Issue of ordinary shares to its shareholders.

The proceeds of the Rights Issue would be used to support on-going working capital needs, including organic growth funding for its banking and other non-banking subsidiaries.

The shareholders also ratified the appointments of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Olusegun Ogbonnewo, and Ojinika Olaghere as Non-Executive Directors.

The appointment of Aig-Imoukhuede as the Chairman of Access Holdings was praised by the shareholders, who pointed to his rich history of success with the institution, having transformed it into Nigeria’s biggest lender by market value alongside Herbert Wigwe. Aigboje’s leadership was instrumental in driving the institution’s growth during the 2004 recapitalisation of the banking industry led by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the leadership of its former Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

“We are thrilled with Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede’s return to the role of Chairman. His proven track record, experience, and strategic insights position him as the ideal leader to steer Access Holdings towards meeting its lofty targets. During his tenure as CEO, particularly during the recapitalisation directive by the CBN, he steered Access Bank to raise an impressive $2 billion in capital, and this demonstrates his capacity to, once again, lead Access Holdings towards successfully achieving the objectives of our planned Capital Raise and Rights Issue targets,” said Chief Sunny Nwosu, Chairman Emeritus of the Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN).

In line with the Group’s strong financial performance, the payment of a final dividend of N1.80 kobo per every N0.50 Kobo ordinary share for the 2023 financial year was approved, marking a 28 per cent improvement from the corresponding period in 2022.

The Group’s full-year results for the period ending December 31, 2023, showcased an impressive 335 per cent increase in pre-tax profit to N729 billion from N167.68 billion in 2022. The Group also experienced an 87 per cent surge in gross earnings to N2.59 trillion from N1.39 trillion in 2022 and reported a remarkable 306 per cent growth in profit after tax to N619.32 billion, from N152.20 billion in 2022.

Commencing in the second half of 2024, Access Holdings’ global expansion strategy will enter the consolidation and efficiency phase, aligning with its five-year plan to accelerate the attainment of its 2027 strategic objectives. The Group remains focused on driving sustainable growth, and delivering value to its shareholders even as it continues to build a globally connected community and ecosystem, inspired by Africa, for the world.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Customs Adjust FX Rate For Import Duties To N1,147/$

Published

on

The foreign exchange (FX) rate for duties has once again been modified by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to N1,147.02 per dollar.

When compared to the N1,238.1/$ reported on April 18, this indicates a decline of 7.3 percent. On Friday, the customs rate was observed.

It dropped below the official foreign exchange rate, which ended trading at the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM) on April 18 at N1,154/$.

The drop in the FX rate for customs tariffs and duties is coming amid the Central Bank of Nigeria‘s (CBN) effort to stabilise the naira.

On April 17, the naira appreciated to N1,050 at the parallel section of the FX market, from the N1,100/$ traded on April 15.

Meanwhile, on April 16, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the national single window (NSW) project to boost trade in Nigeria.

NSW is an electronic portal linking all agencies and players in import and export processes to an integrated platform.

Speaking on the development, Adewale Adeniyi, the comptroller-general (CG) of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said the country is making progress with consultations on the reopening of the borders with Niger Republic and Benin Republic.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

8 Nigerians In South Africa Police Net For “Attacking Officers During Drug Raid”

Published

on

Eight Nigerians have been taken into custody by the South African police for reportedly fighting police during a drug operation.

The suspects were taken into custody in the province of the Northern Cape, the police said in a statement released on Friday.

According to the police, the suspects also caused damage to other properties and cars.

“At the time of the arrest, police were tracing information of one of the Nigerian nationals being in possession of drugs,” the statement reads.

“While conducting this search, a large group of Nigerians attacked police. Police fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.

“One suspect was arrested for illegal possession of drugs, and three suspects were arrested for public violence and detained at Kimberley Police Station.

“During processing, the suspects broke windows at the station. Additional charges of malicious damage to property were added.

“Another group of Nigerians later approached the Police Station and threatened to retaliate.

“The Operational Commander warned the group to disperse.

“However, upon dispersing, the group damaged police vehicles. Another four suspects were arrested for malicious damage to property.”

Koliswa Otola, police commissioner for the province, commended officers for the arrest of the suspects.

Otola condemned acts of violence against law enforcement agents, saying those who prevent police from exercising their duties “will be dealt with harshly”.

“We will not allow such lawless behaviour,” the commissioner said.

“We are processing the suspects and working with Home Affairs to determine if they are legally or illegally in the country.

“Police will continue to stamp the authority of the state in the Northern Cape Province.”

Continue Reading

Most Popular