Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, on Tuesday signified her interest to return to Nigeria and defend a criminal trial against her.

She said this while urging a Lagos Federal High Court to compel the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to bring her back to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.

Alison-Madueke has been linked with a N450m money laundering case before the Justice Rilwan Aikawa.

Others involved in the trial include, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Dele Belgore; and a former Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had alleged that Belgore and Suleiman were charged for allegedly collecting N450m from Diezani and laundering the sum in the build-up to the 2015 general elections.

EFCC alleged that the N450m was part of a sum of $115m which Diezani allegedly used to compromise the 2015 general elections.

She made the appeal in an application filed on her behalf before Justice Rilwan Aikwa by an Abuja based lawyer, Obinna Onya which seeks to join her as one of the defendants in the trial.

Onya noted that contrary to the declaration by the EFCC that Diezani was at large, the former minister was in the UK and was willing to return to Nigeria so that she could appear in court to take her plea and defend the charges..

He contended that since Diezani’s name had been linked to the charge, it would be against her right to fair hearing for the case to proceed without affording her the opportunity to defend herself.

Onya said, “The statement made by the prosecution means that the applicant (Diezani) is going to be convicted without being given the opportunity to defend herself.”

He prayed for an order “mandating the Attorney General of the Federation, being the agent of the complainant, to facilitate the prompt appearance of the applicant in court on the next adjourned date, to take her plea and to defend the allegations made against her in counts 1, 2,3 and 4 of the charge, numbered FHC/L/35c/2017.”

However, EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, saying it was not ripe for hearing, as he had yet to be served.

After listening to arguments by all the counsels involved in the trial, Justice Aikawa adjourned the matter till tomorrow.

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JUST IN: Education Minister Reverses 18-Year Age Limit For Admission

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The newly appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the removal of the 18-year age limit for admission into tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

He also indicated the possibility of a comprehensive review of the nation’s education policy.

However, Alausa made it clear that there would be no reversal of the Federal Government’s decision to invalidate over 22,700 degree certificates acquired by Nigerians from unrecognized universities in neighboring Togo and the Benin Republic.

Speaking at his inaugural ministerial press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Alausa emphasized that practical education is key to tackling Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He stated that tertiary institutions must stop producing graduates without ensuring job opportunities for them.

The minister also revealed plans for the federal government to partner with private sector players to provide training opportunities for students and help them realize their full potential.

Additionally, Alausa announced that universities focused on agriculture would be empowered to implement commercial farming practices as part of efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.

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JUST IN: 114 Released #EndBadGovernance Protesters Arrive Presidential Villa

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November 5, 2024

PorscheClassy News

One hundred and fourteen #EndBadGovernance protesters, including minors and adults acquitted by the Federal High Court in Abuja, have arrived at the Presidential Villa.

The protesters, initially arraigned by the Police Force, were released following a court ruling by Justice Obiora Egwatu.

The case was dismissed at the request of the Attorney General of the Federation (“AGF”), Lateef Fagbemi.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is set to officially receive the released protesters.

They are then handed over to their respective Governors, specifically Uba Sani of Kaduna and Abba Yusuf of Kano.

Ministers present at the State House Auditorium in Abuja for the reception include: Tunji Alausa (“Minister of Education”); Nentawe Yilwatda (“Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”); Balarabe Lawal (“Minister of Environment”) and Tanko Sununu (“Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction”).

Also, Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai, is in attendance.

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