A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday remanded a Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator, Peter Nwaoboshi, in Ikoyi Prison pending ruling on his bail application.
He is to remain behind bars until April 27, the court ruled.
Nwaoboshi had appeared before the court charged with a N805 million fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The senator representing Delta North Senatorial District was arraigned on two counts of money laundering and fraud alongside two companies — Golden Touch Construction Project Limited and Suiming Electrical Limited.
He had entered a plea of “not guilty”.
Arguing his bail application before the court, the defence counsel, Dr. V. J. O. Azinge (SAN), urged the court to grant the accused bail on self-recognizance as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In the bail application brought pursuant to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as the 1999 Constitution, Azinge told the court: “Where it is not inclined to granting bail on recognizance, then bail should be made on liberal terms.
Among other grounds for the application, Azinge informed the court that the accused was a cardiac patient, who required constant health checks.
She also argued that as a Senator and senior citizen, the accused sits at the Upper Legislative Chambers and has a mandatory requirement to represent his constituency.
According to the defence counsel, the charge against the accused had lingered since 2017 and noted that since he was granted administrative bail by the EFCC, he never jumped bail.
She added that the accused is a qualified lawyer of 28 years experience and described him as an “oracle and a man of integrity”.
She urged the court to grant the bail application.
But the EFCC prosecutor, M. S. Abubakar, opposed the application and urged the court to refuse bail and order the remand of the accused.
Abubakar said it was not the duty of the defence counsel to dictate to the court the manner it will undertake proceedings, adding that it is purely the court’s discretion.
After listening to the arguments of both counsel, Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case until April 27 for ruling on the application.
The defence counsel urged the court to allow the accused to remain in EFCC custody where he had been, pending the ruling.
But in opposition, the prosecutor said: “My lord, the matter is out of the jurisdiction of the EFCC and now before the court.
“The defence had argued that the defendant’s health deteriorated while in our custody, so we do not want his health to further deteriorate.”
Justice Idris consequently ordered that the accused should be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the determination of his bail.
The EFCC alleged that the accused committed the offences between May and June 2014 in Lagos.
Nwaoboshi was said to have acquired a property described as Guinea House, Marine Road in Apapa, Lagos for the sum of N805 million “when he reasonably ought to have known that N322 million out of the purchase sum, formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act”.
The sum was said to have been transferred to the vendors by order of Suiming Electrical Limited.
Suiming Electrical was said to have on May 14, 2014 aided Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch to commit money laundering.
The offences contravened the provisions of sections 15(2), (d) , 15 (3) and 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.
BIG STORY
Christmas Celebrations: Police Arrest 23 Suspected Armed Robbers, Hoodlums, Kidnapper, Recover Dangerous Weapons [PHOTOS]
- As IGP Commends Officers For Vigilance, Commitment To Safety
In furtherance of the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., to commands and formations to emplace unalloyed anti crime strategies towards ensuring adequate safety and security during this festive period, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force across several states in the country have successfully apprehended multiple groups of armed robbers, cultists and hoodlums targeting fun seekers and engaging in gangsterism during Christmas celebrations.
On the 25th of December 2024, at about 1am, the police operatives attached to Lagos State Command, received a distress call that a group of hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons was operating around the Safejo area of Amukoko, Lagos State. The swift response by the police operatives to the scene led to the arrest of 3 of the suspected hoodlums identified as Emmanuel Okoli ‘m’, 20 years, Ogunde Tejiri ‘m’, 20 years, and Emmanuel Orji ‘m’, 18 years, and also the recovery of the weapons they had used in carrying out robbery attacks on innocent funseekers in the area. The police have emplaced intensified searches to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
In a similar development, Police Operatives attached to Saminaka Division of the Kaduna State Command on 25th December 2024, at about 8pm, successfully apprehended one Sule Muhammad ‘m’, 25 years, who has been actively involved in multiple kidnapping incidents within the Saminaka area. Further investigation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the suspect. The suspect confessed to being a member of a notorious kidnapping gang who had been evading arrest since the arrest of other gang members on August 16, 2024, until his recent arrest on 25th December 2024. Following cooperation received from Muhammad, efforts are in top gear to apprehend other members of his gang and recover more arms and ammunition in their identified camp. Commendable efforts of the Nigeria Police Operatives have also been witnessed in states including Delta, Ogun Katsina, Benue, FCT and Imo, leading to the arrests of several suspects in various locations during the Christmas celebration period.
The IGP has commended the officers involved in these operations for their vigilance and commitment to public safety, highlighting their display of exemplary dedication in safeguarding our communities, especially during this joyful season. The IGP urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
The IGP further assures citizens that the Force is fully committed to creating a safe environment for everyone as they partake in the joy and cheer of the holiday season. As the celebrations continue, the Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mission to protect all citizens and ensure that the spirit of festivities during this period remains unmarred by criminal activities.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.
27TH DECEMBER 2024.
-
BIG STORY4 days agoDeji Ogunsakin Launches The Better Life Foundation, Donates Food And Cash Gifts To Widows In Ado-Ekiti
-
BIG STORY4 days agoJUST IN: Oriyomi Hamzat, Queen Naomi, School Principal Remanded In Agodi Prison Over Ibadan Stampede
-
BIG STORY5 days agoTinubu To Hold First Presidential Media Chat Tonight
-
BIG STORY2 days agoAdron Homes Celebrates Christmas With Customers, Reaffirms Commitment To Bridging Nigeria’s Housing Deficit
-
BIG STORY4 days agoTax Reforms Here To Stay, But I Don’t Mind Making Concessions — President Tinubu
-
BIG STORY1 day agoChristmas Celebrations: Police Arrest 23 Suspected Armed Robbers, Hoodlums, Kidnapper, Recover Dangerous Weapons [PHOTOS]
-
BIG STORY4 days agoNo Regrets Removing Subsidy, Tax Reform Will Go Ahead — President Tinubu
-
BIG STORY4 days agoJUST IN: Dele Farotimi Finally Released After 21 Days In Detention