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Tag: arrest warrant

  • Reps issue arrest warrant on 3 FCDA officials

    Reps issue arrest warrant on 3 FCDA officials

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has issued a warrant of arrest on the Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA), Mr Richard Dauda, over alleged breach of building code in the territory.

    The committee also called for the arrest of Director, Department of Development Control (FCTA), Mr Muktar Galadima, and the Director of Regional Planning of FCT.

    Chairman of the committee, Rep. Mike Etaba (APC- Cross River), issued the warrant after the committee inspected a building located at Plot AO9399, Cadastral Zone, Guzape, following a petition filed Rep. Leke Abejide (ADC-Kogi).

    Etaba said that the parliament was left with no option than to issue the warrant after the FCDA officials had deliberately shunned the committee’s summon on Tuesday and Thursday.

    According to him, the warrant is in tandem with the extant provisions of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017.

    “We had a petition that was brought before us by a Nigerian citizen in the course of investigation.

    “FCDA has refused to come and tender documents necessary for us to proceed with this investigation. But for today, we have come to the site which the petition is referring to.

    “We have looked at the building plans and the engineer in site who we met, known as Mr Emmanuel, told the committee that there is no approved building plan with him at the moment.

    “We have looked at the structure, the landmark, the cantilever that the complainant, who is a Nigerian that has a right to his security and safety, referred to.

    “We have looked at it and we will go back to the committee and ask for more documents, most especially the approved plan, so that FCDA will be able to explain to us the guidelines they gave for this building.

    “This will help in determining what is actually good for this site and allow the Nigerians living around here have their peace.

    “We are here to do justice to everybody,” he said.

    The chairman said that the FCDA officials would be compelled to produce documents required to ascertain the veracity of the claims of the petitioner

    Also speaking, counsel to petitioner, Mr Samuel Ajayi, explained that the petition before the committee was in respect of the development on a property at AO9399, Cadestral zone, allegedly contravening the building code of the FCT.

    “We have a complaint in respect of a building going on in Guzape, which trespassed into the rights of my client.

    “We are urging the appropriate authority to take appropriate step address the issue,” he said.

    The committee, therefore, directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetekun, to ensure the arrest of the officials.

    It stated further that Egbetokun should compel them to appear before it on March 28 to explain their roles in the committal of the alleged infraction.

  • Arrest warrant against Mercy Chinwo’s manager still in effect

    Arrest warrant against Mercy Chinwo’s manager still in effect

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday held that its arrest warrant against singer Mercy Chinwo’s former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachi, remained in effect.

    Justice Alexander Owoeye said this while adjourning Onyedikachi’s trial for alleged fraudulent conversion of money.

    Recall that  Owoeye had on Jan. 16, issued an arrest warrant against  Onyedikachi following an exparte application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Chinwo had alleged that the defendant diverted about 345,000 dollars representing royalty due to her.

    EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, had told the court that prosecution was unable to effect service of the charge on the defendant who, she said, had been unreachable.

    The court consequently granted the application for arrest warrant against Onyedikachi.

    At the last adjourned date, Jan. 24, defence counsel, Dr Monday Ubani, undertook to accept service of the charge on behalf of the defendant.

    Ubani, however, informed the court of a preliminary objection to the charge filed by him.

    The court  adjourned the case for arraignment of Onyedikachi.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Ubani announced appearance for the defendant, while Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) appeared for EFCC.

    Ubani then informed the court that although the case was slated for arraignment of the former manager,  he had a preliminary objection before the court.

    No sooner had Ubani said this than the judge asked, “Where is the defendant?”

    In response, Ubani told the court that his client had called to say that he was involved in an accident on Monday morning.

    Ubani said that his client would be available on the next adjourned date.

    He prayed the court to allow him to move the preliminary objection but the judge declined.

    Owoeye held that the court had yet to assume jurisdiction over the case since the plea of the defendant had not been taken.

    Reacting, EFCC counsel described the defence counsel’s prayer as strange and improper.

    Oyedepo cited Sections 396(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as judicial authorities of State versus Achara and Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Yahaya Bello to support his submission.

    He urged the court not to grant the prayer.

    “My lord, it is a show of shame and outright disrespect for this court for the defendant to be absent on three different occasions in a criminal trial,” he said.

    He told the court that the defendant was seen within the court’s premises granting media interviews shortly after the court rose at the last adjourned date.

    Oyedepo prayed the court to issue a bench warrant to compel the defendant to appear before the court to protect the integrity of the court.

    However, Ubani objected to the prayer, saying that  he undertook to personally produce the defendant in court on the next adjourned date based on his reputation and intergrity as a senior lawyer.

    In a ruling, the judge held that the bench warrant earlier issued by the court had neither been vacated nor withdrawn.

    He held that the defendant should appear in court on the next adjourned date for arraignment either by the subsisting bench warrant or by production by his counsel.

    The judge adjourned the case until March 6 for arraignment of the defendant.

    NAN

  • Reps move to issue arrest warrant against Binance CEO

    Reps move to issue arrest warrant against Binance CEO

    The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has recommended the arrest of the Chief Executive Officer of Binance Holding Ltd over alleged tax invasion and money laundering in Nigeria.

    The recommendation followed a motion by Rep. Isah Dogonyaro (APC- Jigawa state) at a public hearing on Monday in Abuja.

    The hearing was on a petition by Empowerment Fund for Nigerian Youth Initiative and the Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria on several crimes allegedly committed by Bianance.

    Binance is an online financial company, operating in the cyberspace of Nigeria for more than six years with not less than 20 million Nigerians on the platform.

    Moving the motion, Dogonyaro said that the committee earlier invited the CEO of Binance to appear and respond to questions on terrorism, tax invasion and money laundering against the company but failed to appear.

    He said that the committee gave another chance to enable the Bianance executive appear on March 4, 2024 but have refused appear again.

    According to him, the refusal to appear is an insult on this committee and on the Nigerian people.

    In his response, the Legal Council to Bianance, Mr Senator Ihenyen said that the company had responded in writing to all the allegations leveled against the company.

    He said that the company was also ready to provide more answers in writing if the need arises in the cause of the hearing.

    Ihenyen, however, explained that the company was concerned over the safety it’s officials in Nigeria following the recent arrest of two senior officials of the company.

    The counsel explained that two top officials of the company who came to Nigeria were arrested by the office of the National Security Adviser.

    In his ruling, your Chairman of the committee, Rep. Ginger Obinna (LP-Abia) said that the committee had taken a position on it’s last sitting not to entertain legal representation from Binance.

    He said that the leadership of Binance should be arrested and be brought to the committee to answer questions of the grave allegations leveled against the company in a petition brought to the committee.

    “This committee has resolved to recommend to the house to invoke its constituonal powers by issuing a subpoena and a warrant for Binance executives to be arrested and brought to this committee to answer these questions on terrorism, money laundering and other financial crimes as stated in the petition including evasion of tax,” he said.

    The chairman thanked the petitioners for unearthing the grievous financial crimes and the exploitation of 20 million young Nigerians in the last six years.

  • Hearing in Fubara’s chief of staff’s motion against arrest warrant suffers setback

    Hearing in Fubara’s chief of staff’s motion against arrest warrant suffers setback

    Hearing of motions on notice filed by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, seeking an order vacating the arrest warrant against him and others could not proceed on Monday.

    The matter, which was on number six on the day’s cause list before Justice Emeka Nwite, was subsequently adjourned until March 4.

    The development occurred shortly after counsel for the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Simon Lough, SAN, told the court that he had not been served with Ehie’s motion filed by Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN.

    On Sunday, Justice Nwite had fixed today for the hearing of two separate applications filed by Aladedoye and Femi Falana, SAN, on behalf of Ehie and five others declared wanted by the police.

    The judge had, on Jan. 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Ehie and others over their alleged involvement in the burning of part of the Rivers House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023.

    Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie (1st defendant) are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo as 2nd to 6th defendants.

    Justice Nwite gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by Lough.

    The court granted the ex-parte application on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count charge preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court.

    While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the Jan. 31 order, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.

    When the matter was called on Monday, Aladedoye, who appeared for Ehie, said his application dated Feb. 9, was served on the police same day.

    But Lough responded that he was not aware of Aladedoye’s motion, although he acknowledged the receipt of Falana’s application and had responded appropriately.

    He sought an adjournment to enable him respond to Aladedoye’s motion.

    But the judge confirmed Aladedoye’s affidavit of service in the court file.

    Lough, who restated that he was not aware of the application, said if he was in receipt of it, he would have responded.

    Falana, representing the 2nd to 6th defendants, prayed the court to allow his motion to be taken since the police had responded, but the judge said since both motions were on the same subject, it would be better to take them together.

    Shortly before adjournment, Aladedoye called the attention of the court to series of advertisements done by the police in the media, declaring Ehie and others wanted.

    He urged the court to make an order restraining the police from further publishing such adverts in the media pending the hearing and determination of the application.

    But Lough, who said that the adverts were done just when the order was made, assured that his office would await the court decision.

    Justice Nwite fixed March 4 for hearing.

    NAN reports that in a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 7 by Falana, Ehie’s co-defendants sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on the 31st January, 2024 for want of jurisdiction.

    “An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”

    Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the I-G (complainant/respondent) had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.

    The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    “He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.

    “The complainant/respondent (I-G) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.

    “The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.

    Also, Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed Feb. 9 on Ehie’s behalf, sought two orders, including “an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.

    “An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”

    Giving three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.

    According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds which challenge the jurisdiction of this honourable court.

    He argued that their appeal would be rendered nugatory if their application was not granted.

     

  • Court to hear Fubara’s chief of staff’s motion against arrest warrant on Monday

    Court to hear Fubara’s chief of staff’s motion against arrest warrant on Monday

    A Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed Monday for the hearing of motions on notice filed by Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, seeking an order vacating its earlier arrest warrant order against him and others.

    Justice Emeka Nwite fixed the date after counsel for Ehie and five others, Femi Falana, SAN, and Oluwole Aladedoye, SAN, filed separate applications to the effect

    While Falana filed a motion seeking an order to set aside the Jan. 31 order made by Justice Nwite, Aladedoye filed an application for a stay of execution of the arrest order.

    The judge had, on Jan. 31, issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Ehie over his alleged involvement in the burning of part of the state’s House of Assembly on Oct. 29, 2023.

    Justice Nwite, who gave the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought by counsel for Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Simon Lough, SAN, also ordered the arrest of five other accomplices.

    Those ordered to be arrested along with Ehie are Jinjiri Bala, Happy Benneth, Progress Joseph, Adokiye Oyagiri and Chibuike Peter also known as Rambo.

    The court granted the ex-parte application as canvassed by Lough on the grounds that the six defendants had been at large to stand their trial in a seven-count preferred against five other suspected arsonists currently being prosecuted before a sister court.

    The I-G had, in a charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, arraigned Chime Eguma Ezebalike, 37; Prince Lukman Oladele, 47; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa, 40; Osiga Donald, 42; and Ochueja Thankgod, 35, before a sister court presided over by Justice Bolaji Olajuwon on Jan. 25 in Abuja.

    They, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and were remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre.

    The I-G, who arraigned them on a seven-count criminal charge bordering on terrorism and murder, declared Ehie and five others, said to be at large, wanted.

    Ehie, who was recently appointed as CoS after he resigned as member and factional speaker of the assembly, was alleged to be among the suspects being charged by the I-G.

    His resignation was said to be part of the agreements reached in the bid to reconcile Fubara and former Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the FCT Minister.

    But in a motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2024 dated Feb. 2 and filed Feb. 7 by Falana, Ehie and others sought two orders, including “an order setting aside the order made on the 31st January, 2024 for want of jurisdiction.

    “An order of this honourable court staying the execution of the order made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of this application.”

    Giving six grounds of argument, Falana argued that the I-G (complainant/respondent) had not filed any criminal charge or motion before the court.

    The senior lawyer argued that the court lacked the territorial jurisdiction to entertain the ex-parte application as the alleged offences of conspiracy, attempted murder, murder and arson took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    “He submitted that the court lacked the vires to grant an application to arrest and declare his clients wanted in respect of the alleged offences.

    “The complainant/respondent (I-G) did not adduce evidence of terrorism in the affidavit in support of the application.

    “The complainant/respondent did not cite any section of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 (as amended) alleged to have been contravened by the applicants,” he argued.

    Also, Aladedoye in a motion on notice dated and filed Feb. 9, sought two orders, including “an order staying execution or further execution of the order(s) of this honourable court made on the 31st of January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicants.

    “An order of injunction restraining the complainant from carrying out or further carrying out the orders of this honourable court made on the 31st January, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant in this case.”

    Giving three-ground argument, Aladedoye said that a notice of appeal had already been filed against Justice Nwite’s orders.

    According to the senior lawyer, the notice of appeal contains grounds which challenge the jurisdiction of this honourable court.

    He argued that their appeal would be rendered nugatory if their application was not granted.

  • Reps issue arrest warrant on ex FCC, IPPIS desk officer

    Reps issue arrest warrant on ex FCC, IPPIS desk officer

    The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating employment racketeering in MDAs on Thursday issued warrant of arrest on Mr Haruna Kolo, a former staff of Federal Characters Commission (FCC) and IPPIS desk officer.

    Kolo who is now a staff of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) had appeared before the Committee on July 7, over allegations bothering on selling of job slots.

    Kolo said he did in collaboration with the Chairman of the Commission, Mrs Farida  Dankaka during his appearance, admitting to collecting money for employment on behalf of the Chairman.

    Kolo had also expressed fear for his safety as he said that Dankaka should be held responsible if anything happened to him.

    He has however failed to honour the invitation of the committee to appear in subsequent hearings on July 8 and and 9.

    Also AMCON failed to turn up for the probe despite invitations to them.

    Rep Yusuf Gagdi, the chairman of the committee said a warrant of arrest would be issued against Kolo, adding that he would be brought in by the security agencies.

    The chairman also decried the attitude of some MDAs for avoiding the probe, adding that there would be sanctioned henceforth for any agency that failed to honour the invitation of the committee.

    “We have made our position very clear and we have resolved to further communicate through newspaper for these agencies to make sure they have cause appearance before this committee.

    ”We are going to make our position very public in various dailies and televisions stations beginning from tomorrow giving agencies the last warning that they should appear before this committee on Monday.

    ”All our witnesses that we have equally asked them to be here are going to appear before us on Aug 14 and 15  in continuation to this hearing.

    He said MDAs would begin to see the other side of the committee from Aug 14 by th

    He said, for Kolo, the position of this committee was that he would lose his freedom, adding that it would issue a warrant of arrest on Kolo and compel security agencies to present him before it.

  • Court rejects Lulu-Briggs’ plea to vacate EFCC’s arrest warrant against her

    Court rejects Lulu-Briggs’ plea to vacate EFCC’s arrest warrant against her

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused granting an application by Mrs Seinya Luku-Briggs, Chairman, Board of Directors, Moni Pulo Limited, to vacate the EFCC’s warrant of arrest to probe her.

    Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that it was the duty of the anti-graft agency to carry out its investigation conclusively.

    Nwite said the EFCC’s application for arrest warrant against Lulu-Briggs, earlier granted by retired Justice Taiwo Taiwo, could not be said to be out of tune with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    Taiwo had, on May 18, granted EFCC’s prayers in an ex-parte motion moved by the commission’s lawyer, Olanrewaju Adeola, for a warrant of arrest against Lulu-Briggs.

    The court had directed the anti-graft agency, Department of State Service (DSS), Nigeria Police, Interpol and other security agencies to arrest her anywhere she was sighted within or outside Nigeria for probe.

    But in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/653/2022, Lulu-Briggs, through her lawyer, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court for an order vacating the ex-parte warrant of arrest issued by Taiwo against her.

    The motion dated and filed July 25 , gave 18 grounds why the May 18 order should be discharged.

    According the senior advocate, the issues for which the arrest order was made were purely commercial and subject of the judgment of the honourable court delivered on April 21, 2015 in suit no. FHC/PH/CP/2/2012.

    Uche said that the issues leading to granting the arrest warrant were the same with the subject matter of pending commercial litigations in suit no: FHC/CA/CS/16/2021 before the Calabar Division of the court.

    “At the material time of the alleged offences, the applicant was not a shareholder of the company as to be held accountable for the offences alleged to have been committed before she became a shareholder and director of the company.

    “The applicant had obtained a judgment against the EFCC and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for the breach of her fundamental human rights over the same subject matter of investigation.

    “By the said judgment of this honourable court delivered on 21st February 2022, the EFCC and the NIS were each ordered to pay the applicant the sum of N15 million and render a public apology to her,” Uche said.

    “The senior advocate of Nigeria said that the petitions presented by EFCC on which basis the order of arrest was made were offered as the defence by EFCC in the current suit.

    “In the judgment dated 21st February, 2022 delivered in suit number: FHC/L/CS/147/2020, this honourable court made orders of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC and the NIS from intercepting, harassing, arresting, interrogating or detaining the applicant within and outside Nigeria.

    “Though the EFCC filed notice of appeal against the judgment on 13th May, 2022, no other step has been taken in respect thereof.

    “The orders of perpetual injunction granted against the arrest of applicant by the judgment dated 21st April, 2022 in suit number: FHC/L/CS/147/2020 has neither been vacated nor upturned on appeal,” he said.

    But in his ruling, Nwite said after perusing all the applications and affidavits filed by the parties, he found that the earlier court judgment cited in the motion had nothing to do with the EFCC’s investigation.

    The judge further said that the judgment of the court was categorically on the freedom of movement of the applicant (Lulu-Briggs).

    Besides, Nwite held that the EFCC was not a party to the suit in Calabar jurisdiction of the court and would, therefore, not be bound by the decision of the court.

    “The order of the court cannot stop the respondent (EFCC) from carrying out its statutory duties. I therefore refuse the application,” he said.

  • Court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke

    Court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke

    Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, believed to be residing in the UK.
    Justice Bolaji Olajuwon granted the request, after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdullah, made an oral application.
    The court had fixed Nov. 3, 2021 for the EFCC to give a report on its effort at extraditing Alison-Madueke to the country to stand her trial, and for possible mention of the case.
    But on the adjourned date, the case was stalled as neither Abdullah nor Alison-Madueke was in sight.
    Justice Olajuwon then fixed today, Jan. 24, for the matter and adjourned for report or or for possible mention of the matter.
    NAN reports that though Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was initially the presiding judge in the matter, the case was reassigned to Justice Olajuwon, following the transfer of Ojukwu to the Calabar division of the court.
    It would be recalled that Ojukwu had, on Oct. 28, 2020, rejected the EFCC’s prayer to issue a warrant of arrest against Alison-Madueke, citing the commission’s failure to enforce the earlier criminal summons, which the court issued on the former minister since July 24, 2020, saying court orders are not made in vain.
    The commission had, in requesting for the criminal summons in July 2020, claimed that it was required to facilitate the ex-minister’s extradition to Nigeria.
    Faced with the failure of the ex-minister to honour the summons, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Abdullah, urged Justice Ojukwu to issue a warrant of arrest against her, saying that the extradition process failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest.
    The judge, who turned down the request, directed the lawyer to file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), and adjourned for report and possible arraignment of the defendant (Alison-Madueke).
    However, when the matter was called on Monday, Abdullah was in court.
    He told the court that all efforts by the agency to get the ex-minister extradited when the matter was before Ojukwu were unsuccessful.
    Abdullah, who made an oral application for an arrest warrant, said the application was part of the requirements by the office of the AGF for the extradition.
    He said that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the International Police (INTERPOL) the impetus to bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her.
    Justice Olajuwon then granted the application and adjourned the matter sine die pending when the defendant (Alison-Madueke) is arrested and produced in court.
    NAN reports that Abdullah had, in an application, urged the court “to issue an arrest warrant against Alison-Madueke, who is believed to be in the UK to enable all law enforcement agencies and the INTERPOL to arrest her anywhere she is sighted and be brought before the court to answer to the allegation made against her before the court.”
    He said since the summon had not been able to achieve the desired result, the need for a warrant of arrest cannot be over-emphasised.
    NAN reports that the court had, on July 24, 2020, ordered the former minister to appear before it and answer to the money laundering charge filed against her by the EFCC.
    The court gave the ruling in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018 brought by Abdullah.
    The EFCC had accused the former minister of fleeing the country for the UK in order to escape justice, among others.
    The lawyer, in a document filed along with the motion ex-parte, said it sought to question Alison-Madueke, without success, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.
    He said it also wanted Alison-Madueke to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”
    Abdallah said the agency was investigating Alison-Madueke‘s business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited, among others.
    He added that Alison-Madueke was also required to clear air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 2015 prior to the elections.”
    He said it equally wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and Jeweleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified property that were linked to her In Nigeria, UK, U.S., United Arab Emirate and South Africa.
    It would be recalled that the EFCC Chairman, Abdultasheed Bawa in the April 2021 edition of the agency’s in-house magazine, disclosed that the anti-corruption commission recovered 153 million dollars from Alison-Madueke.
    Bawa said the agency also recovered the final forfeiture of over 80 property in Nigeria valued at about $80 million from the former minister, who has been living in the UK since leaving office some years ago.
    The EFCC boss said he would want the former minister to face trial in Nigeria.
    Besides, as part of the ongoing investigations of the former Petroleum Minister, the EFCC. on Dec. 15, 2021, said it arrested a former Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, allegedly over an additional $72.87 million still in the coffers of the bank.
    Okonkwo and Charles Onyedibe were quizzed by operatives over the latest discovery.
    Okonkwo, who is the chairman of First Bank Holding, alongside others, had earlier been grilled over $153 million and another $115 million by the commission.
    While all the 153 million dollars were recovered by the EFCC, the cases involving $115 million, as it relates with the Independent National Electoral Commission bribery matter, are in various courts. the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had disclosed in a statement.

  • Court rejects FG’s request for arrest warrant against Ekweremadu

    The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday turned down the request by the Federal Government to issue an arrest warrant against the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property had, on behalf of the Federal Government, urged the court to order the arrest of Ekweremadu following the absence of the senator, who was scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday on charges of non-declaration of assets.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Celcus Ukpong, informed the judge, Justice Binta Nyako, that two counts of failure to declare assets were filed against the senator on May 11, 2018.

    Ukpong said the summons for the arraignment scheduled for Wednesday had been served on the Deputy Senate President, but he chose to ignore it.

    He said, “He decided not to obey the summons. We, therefore, apply for a bench warrant to be issued against him.”

    But responding, Ekweremadu’s lawyer, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to disregard the application for a bench warrant to be issued against his client.

    He informed the court that his client had, on November 1, 2018, filed a motion challenging the competence of the charges and the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

    Awomolo argued that without first resolving the application, the matter could not proceed to stage of arraignment.

    He cited some Supreme Court decisions to back his contention.

    Ekweremadu’s properties targeted for interim forfeiture comprised nine in Abuja, two in London, eight in Dubai, and three in Florida, USA.

    Following its findings on the allegedly undeclared assets, the panel, in May this year, filed two counts against Ekweremadu, alleging in one of the counts in the case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/62/2018, that upon notice to declare his assets in the manner prescribed by the SPIPRPP, the Deputy Senate President “refused” to make the declaration “without reasonable excuse.”

    In the second count, the prosecution alleged that the defendant “neglected to declare” his assets “without reasonable excuse upon the notice to declare” his assets “in the manner prescribed by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property”.

    The alleged offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 3(3)(1)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act 2004.