In a significant legal development, Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has ruled that businesswoman Portia Emilia and her company, Savanah Crest Investment Limited, must enter their defences in an alleged N110 million fraud case brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The defendants were re-arraigned on March 16, 2023, facing amended five-count charges that include conspiracy to steal, obtaining money and property by false pretences, stealing, and retaining stolen property. One of the counts specifically alleges that Portia Anthony Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, “sometime in 2018 in Lagos,…
Author: Adewale A.
In a significant operation aimed at curbing cybercrime, the Enugu Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 32 individuals suspected of engaging in internet fraud. The arrests were made simultaneously during sting operations conducted in Awka, Anambra State, and Enugu township, Enugu State. The suspects, whose identities have been revealed, include Stanley Okechukwu, Chukwudi Michael, Nnaife Onyedika, Nnamdi Christian, Pascal Akachukwu, Ekeme Christian Luke, Denis Chidozie, and Ebuka Mmaduka. The list continues with Ekene Excellent, Emmanuel Okochi Osita, Akunne Prince Ikenna, Igwe Nnaemeka Shedrack, Nonso Henry Ozo Ekwe, Ebuka Obike Boniface, Goodluck Ameachi Ifeanyi, Hillary…
In a unified effort to bolster the fight against corruption and financial impropriety in Nigeria, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI), and key stakeholders have issued a resounding call for comprehensive legislation to address the issue of unexplained wealth within the country. This imperative plea emerged from a Communique jointly issued on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at the conclusion of the 5th EFCC-NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held at the NJI headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. The Communique underscores the urgent need for the enactment of legislation to combat the possession of…
In a significant legal development, businessman Kolawole Erinle has been sentenced to a substantial twelve-year prison term for his involvement in a $1.4 million fraud. The verdict was delivered by Justice R. A. Osodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos. Erinle, along with his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, initially faced charges before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja on March 11, 2022. Although he initially pleaded “not guilty,” the trial was inconclusive due to Justice Taiwo’s retirement, necessitating the reassignment of the case to Justice Osodi. On October 28, 2022, Erinle was re-arraigned before…
In a significant legal development, Ahmad Abubakar Ahmad has been sentenced to a staggering 87 years in prison for his involvement in criminal activities amounting to N325,800,000 (Three Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira). This verdict was handed down by Justice Malami Dogondaji of the Sokoto State High Court on Thursday, October 5, 2023, following Ahmad’s admission of guilt to 12 counts of charges related to criminal breach of trust and obtaining money by false pretence. One of the charges reads: “That you Abubakar Ahmad Abubakar sometime in October 2022 in Sokoto within the Judicial Division of the…
In a surprising turn of events in the ongoing legal battle involving Nigerian artist Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has issued a production warrant. This dramatic development occurred during the court proceedings on Friday, October 5, 2023. Naira Marley is currently facing a slew of charges, numbering 11 in total, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These charges primarily revolve around conspiracy and credit card fraud. During the recent court session, the defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court that Naira…
FXC Intelligence releases an in-depth report analysing trends in cross-border payment startups, with emphasis on companies launched since the beginning of 2022. Geographically, there was a stronger presence of payment startups in emerging markets than among lists of larger, more established cross-border payments companies. Lagos, Nigeria, came in joint second with New York in terms of cities with the most cross-border payment startups founded since the start of 2022. 7% of startups were founded there, underpinning its growing importance as a payments hub. While the traditional dominance of the US and Western Europe remained, there was a stronger presence of…
BudgIT has released its second-quarter evaluation report of the States Fiscal Transparency League (SFTL) for the second quarter of 2023. The States Fiscal Transparency League aims to sustain the progress achieved through the World Bank’s States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) program by monitoring how effectively states uphold fiscal transparency, accountability, accessibility, and proficient management of public finances. For 2023’s second quarter, an evaluation of all 36 Nigerian states revealed that nine states made significant progress by adhering to the STFAS guidelines, 23 states exhibited moderate performance, and four states performed poorly. Compared to Q1 2023, Jigawa State secured…
Marking this year’s International Day of Peace 2023, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, last week in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital collaborated with the Centre for Gender, Conflict and Gender Studies at the University of Port Harcourt, HYPREP, COFEM & KABETCACHE to host Learning Circle. This was contained in a press statement issued and personally signed by the president of Port Harcourt Eco, Rtn. Dr Anthony Ikpor. At the event, our correspondent reports explored and discussed evident strategies and actions that can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which focused on promoting peace, a…
This is an open letter to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State over the concerns on the arrest and subsequent release of Mr Wale Adedayo, immediate former chairman of the Ijebu-East Local Government area of the state. His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, We trust this message finds you well. Open Alliance, a coalition of civil society organizations working to improve openness and accountability in government, is writing to convey our concerns regarding the arrest and recent removal of Mr Wale Adedayo, the former Chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government Area, Ogun State, from office. He was arrested on Monday, 25 September 2023, based…