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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on wednesday, obtained a court orders for the forfeiture of Banana Island, Lagos $37.5 million, 15 Floors, 18 Flats, 6 Penthouses luxurious property belonging to former Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke.

The court also ordered the temporary seizure of $3.7m in a Zenith bank account allegedly owned by the former minister.

The order followed an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking forfeiture of the assets.

Anselem Ozioko, the EFCC counsel who filed the application, alleged that the money used for the purchase of the property was laundered.

“Nothing could be more suspicious than someone keeping such huge amounts in her apartment. Why was she doing that? To avoid attention,” he told the court.

“We are convinced beyond reasonable doubts because, as of the time this happened, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke was still in public service as the minister of petroleum resources.”

After listening to his submission, Chuka Obiozor, the judge, gave a temporary order for the forfeiture of the property and the money to the government.

He then adjourned till August 7 for anyone to a make case for the assets.

Last Friday, the US department of justice filed an application seeking the re-possession of assets valued at $144 million linked to Alison-Madueke.

The former minister allegedly received the assets as bribes from two businessmen – Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore – for the award of oil contracts.

BIG STORY

President Tinubu Appoints Abiola’s Son Jamiu SSA On Linguistics, Foreign Matters

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

Abiola is one of the children of the winner of the 1993 presidential election annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida, the late Chief Moshood Abiola.

He was previously appointed as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice-President.

In a statement on Wednesday by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, Abiola’s appointment takes effect from November 14, 2024.

Imohiosen stated that the appointment aligns with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Jamiu Abiola as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Linguistics and Foreign Matters.

“The appointment takes effect from 14th November, 2024. This is in line with the provisions of the Certain Political and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, etc) Act 2008, as amended.

“Until his appointment, Jamiu served as the Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties in the Office of the Vice President.

“President Tinubu tasks the appointee to work closely with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and bring his wealth of experience to bear in his new assignment.”

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BIG STORY

Alleged N110bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello, Other’s Bail Ruling To December 10

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to December 10 for a ruling on the bail application by the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others.

Bello had pleaded not guilty to the 16-count charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The former governor, along with Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, are being prosecuted as the 1st to 3rd defendants, respectively, in a fresh N110bn 16-count charge instituted against them by the EFCC.

Bello, the 1st defendant, vehemently denied the allegations before Justice Maryanne Anenih as they were read out to them.

After taking their plea, the Defendant’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu, moved an application for bail.

However, the EFCC Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, opposed the application, arguing that it had expired in October.

Clarifying the issue, the Defendant’s Counsel stated that the only relevant application before the Court was the motion for bail in respect of the first defendant, which was filed on November 22.

Relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit, he added that the bail application was also supported with a written address.

Justice Anenih ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

The EFCC had filed an N110bn alleged fraud suit against the former governor.

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BIG STORY

JUST IN: Court Remands Yahaya Bello In EFCC Custody Amid Alleged N110bn Fraud Case

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The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has remanded Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello was arraigned on a 16-count charge related to alleged money laundering on Wednesday.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

 

More to come…

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