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EFCC Arraigns Okupe For Alleged N702m Fraud, Gets N100m Bail

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on 59 counts bordering on “money laundering and criminal diversion of funds” to the tune of N702m.

Okupe was brought before Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court, Maitama, along with two companies, Value Trust Investment Ltd and Abrahams Telecoms Ltd allegedly involved in the commission of the fraud.

One of the counts read, “That you, Dr. Doyin Okupe, being the Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan from July 2012 to May 2015, and being the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, and a signatory to the bank account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd, on or about the 3rd October, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directly took possession or control of the sum of N35 million, transferred to the account of Abrahams Telecoms Ltd from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria purporting to be for special services when you reasonably ought to have known that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.”

He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Upon his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Audu, asked for a date for “commencement of the trial”.

However, Okupe’s counsel, Tolu Babaleiye, through a motion on notice dated December 17, 2018, prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail.

“The defendant will in no way tamper with evidence since the proof of evidence is before the court that means investigation has been concluded,” he said.

Babaleiye further urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on self-recognizance adding that “he will not jump bail as he is well known”.

While responding to the application, Audu argued that “the defendant was given administrative bail after he volunteered his statement, thereafter, he was nowhere to be found until December 2018 in Lagos”.

He further said that “there was nothing substantial in the defendant’s affidavit,” adding that there was nothing to show that the medical certificate is authentic and nothing to show it met the requirements of the evidence act as it was electronically generated.

“The court should exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously based on materials supplied before the court,” he added, stressing that the court should take into consideration, “the gravity of the punishment in the event of a conviction on the charges brought against the defendant”.

After listening to all the arguments, Justice Ojukwu granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N100m with one surety in like sum.

The trial judge said: “The surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, and must depose to an affidavit of means, must have landed properties which must also be within the jurisdiction of the court. Must submit to the court tax clearance papers from 2016 to 2018, also have a recent passport photograph. The surety and defendant must deposit their international passport to the court. The documents are to be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar Litigation of the court.”

Justice Ojukwu, thereafter, adjourned till February 27, 28 and March 6, 2019, for trial.

 

Politics

Hon. Kikelomo Felicitate with Deputy Governor, Senator Yayi, MHR, State House of Assembly, Council Chairman, Others

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Hon. Kikelomo Felicitate with Deputy Governor, Senator Yayi, MHR, State House of Assembly, Council Chairman, Others

By August24news.com

Former Supervisor for Water Supply and Environment in Ado Odo Otta Local Government of Ogun state, Hon. Kikelomo Adebowale has heartily felicitates with the amiable deputy Governor of Ogun state, H.E, Dr. Chief Mrs Noimot Oyedele-Salako, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon a.k.a Yayai, Member of the federal House of Representative, Hon. Akinola Akinosi, Otta State House of Assembly Member, Hon. Sheriff Abiodun Yinusa a.k.a Ibeman, the newly sworn-in Ado Odo Otta local government council chairman Hon. Wasiu Lawal and all the good people of Ado Odo Otta Local Government for the 2025 new year. 

Kikelomo made the congratulations during a paid advert with Nigerian number one online platform known as August24news.com

She thanks all the political parties for their impressive participation and sportsmanship in the previous years

Kikelomo said she wish all the good people of Ado odo Otta a new prosperous 2025 in sound health.

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Hon. Zubair Feeds 300 Widows in Olorunda LCDA

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Hon. Zubair Feeds 300 Widows in Olorunda LCDA

…as APC Apex leader, Dr. Ajose, LGA Chairman, Alhaja Adeshina Others applaud her exemplary virtue and kind-hearted role in the LCDA 

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

It was another colourful and well attended political gathering yesterday at the prestigious Ola-Oki School of Health Auditorium, Ibereko Olorunda LCDA in Lagos state as the former Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Nurat Olayinka-Zubair hosted over 300 widows and aged in the LCDA as she presented them food items and cash gifts to cushion the current economic hardship as part of efforts to celebrate her political associates and mark her birthday anniversary.

Report has it that, this is the seventh edition of its kind since she assumed office as Supervisor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation before and during the era of the present Council Chairman Honourable SAMOLA. 

In her welcoming address to the mammoth crowd, Zubair acknowledged each leader and guest with utmost respect adding that their support, advice, mentorship and prayers have made her to continue steering.

According to her, “I have invited you all here today to come and thank God for what he has done in my life, because this is a time and avenue to appreciate God and to continue to demonstrate the covenant I made with God even before I got appointment that I will continue to feed and support the widows and aged.”

Our correspondent gathered that over 300 widows and aged across the 5 wards in Olorunda LCDA received food items such as rice, garri, salt, tomato paste and cash from the celebrant.

Political gladiators and leaders of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) who attended the gathering applauded Zubair for her kindness, support and love for the party as they all expressed their promise to support her candidature during the forthcoming local government poll.

According to the representative of the Badagry APC Apex Leader, Dr. Sunny Ajose, who was ably represented by the Badagry Central Party Chairman, Alhaji Gafar Meyon, said this is commendable from a former office holder who is not currently serving. He added that what he witnessed here today will be reported to the party and leaders of the APC as he call on other political officer holders in Olorunda LCDA to emulate Zubair leadership style.

The second speaker at the gathering who spoke about Zubair’s unique and leadership style was Alhaja M.l Adeshina. In her words, she said, “I am a living witness to what zubair has been doing in Olorunda since the inception of its first edition up to this seventh edition, claiming that the empowerment program had brought succour to many homes and we need to support the program because this is coming from a woman.”

Also Speaking at the event, Alhaja Princess Kikilemo Pesu Ladipo said Zubair’s humility and generosity is second to none and this good act will take her to places because God will never undermine her intention.

On his own side, Hon. Ashade Joseph said what the celebrant did was purely human as he personally donated the sum of 20,000 Twenty Thousand Naira to support the good initiative and kind gesture of Hon. Zubair.

it will be correct to say, Zubair, a former supervisor for WAPA in the LCDA who work rigorously towards the success of the party during the last Presidential and Governorship poll in state is now vying for the ticket of the number one seat of OLORUNDA LCDA come 2025.

Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake and presentation of the packed food stuffs to the widows. 

Special Guest at the event where senior staff of the Lagos state Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr, Ayo Afuwape; Olori Aholu Agano, The First Ajara Agamathen Kingdom, Dr. Chief Mrs. Busola Onilogbo Odedina, Senior lecturer from the Lagos State University, (LASU) Dr. Mrs. Fatimoh Abass, current Supervisor for WAPA in Olorunda, Hon. Chief Mrs. Taibat Abisoye and The LGA Woman leader of Olorunda LCDA, Mrs Esther Asade and other Wards Woman leaders.

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Politics

Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians

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Wike and his T-Pain Collaborators playing politics with the suffering of Nigerians

…Atiku preoccupied with genuine issues affecting Nigerians

Our attention has been drawn to the recent remarks made by Mr. Nyesom Wike, which can only be described as another of his theatrical outbursts. Ordinarily, we would not respond, but we recognize that silence might be misinterpreted.

However, we remain calm, knowing that Nigerians are well acquainted with his antics, a lingering symptom of the bitterness he harbours from his defeat to the Waziri Adamawa at the 2022 party presidential primaries.

Mr. Wike’s comments are nothing more than a string of inanities, lacking substance and driven by personal grievances. If he truly believes Nigerians are content with the current state of affairs under the government he serves, it reveals a deeper truth: his priorities lie not with the people but with himself. This self-absorption is evident in his preoccupation with domestic affairs in Rivers rather than his ministerial responsibilities.

While he may seek to divert attention with his baseless rants, we remain focused on the genuine issues affecting Nigerians. It is clear that Mr. Wike is more concerned with self-interest than addressing the real challenges faced by the nation. In contrast, our commitment remains unwavering, centred on the welfare and progress of the people.

Mr. Wike appears to delight in conjuring fantasies, indulging in his imagination, and paying for live TV coverage to launch tirades against whomever he pleases. However, we shall not descend into the gutters where he feels at home. Instead, we prefer to rise above, maintaining our dignity while others revel in the mud.

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