Crime
Appeal court jails 2 Chinese Nationals 6 years each over N50 million bribe
Appeal court jails 2 Chinese Nationals 6 years each over N50 million bribe
Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division on Friday, 31st March 2023 convicted and sentenced two Chinese nationals, Meng Wei Kun and Mr. Xu Kuai, to three years imprisonment for each of the two count charge for offences of Conspiracy, Money Laundering and attempted Bribery to the tune of N50 Million (Fifty Million Naira) brought against them by the Sokoto Zonal Command of the EFCC.
The judgement is sequel to EFCC’s appeal brought against the judgment of the Federal High Court Sokoto, which discharged and acquitted the accused persons on all the three three count charge.
Delivering the unanimous judgment, Justice Talba berated the respondents that tried to frustrate the appeal through maneuverings stating that, “gone are the days of technicalities in law”. He further emphased that going forward, courts must allow cases to be heard on its merits.
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Justice Talba further explained that the EFCC had proven counts one and two of the three count charge before the Federal High Court beyond reasonable doubt but agreed with the lower Court on count three and accordingly struck it out because a similar charge is pending before the High Court of Justice Sokoto State.
According to Justice Talba, “the respondents are charged with Conspiracy and making a cash payment in excess of the threshold provided by the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended in 2012 to Abdullahi Lawal (then zonal head of EFCC Sokoto) which was established beyond reasonable doubt before the lower Court. But surprisingly, the trial Judge summersaulted in his judgement and recanted”.
Justice Talba added, “I regret to say that the judgment is like a fiction by the trial judge who created doubts in his mind while discharging his responsibilities. Without doubt, the trial judge grossly misconceived that no offence was committed”
The Judge said further, “conspiracy is a distinct offence even if the commission of the actual offence is aborted, and in the instant case, there exists positive cogent inescapable evidence the offence was committed”.
While he maintained that the appeal is “immensely meritorious”, the judge convicted and sentenced the Chinese nationals to three years on each of the two counts with an option of N10 million fine each on each count.
On a final note, the judge said, “before i draw the curtain, the respondents are Chinese and an offence of this gravity in their home country attracts the death penalty, yet here they are corrupting our country. The courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not condone corruption in any way; as President Muhammadu Buhari has said ‘if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria”.
Appeal court jails 2 Chinese Nationals 6 years each over N50 million bribe
Crime
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three Men Arraigned in Lagos for Alleged Kidnapping, Theft
Three men, Azeez Sadiq, 35, Taiwo Olayinka, 30, and Monsuru Saheed, 21, were brought before an Ikorodu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday, facing charges of kidnapping and theft. The suspects, whose residential addresses were not disclosed, were charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and stealing.
According to the prosecutor, ASP Christian Okonofua, the incident occurred on August 20 at around 12 p.m. near a Mobile petrol station behind F One Bar in Ikorodu, Lagos. The defendants, along with accomplices still at large, allegedly kidnapped two individuals from Ogun State and stole N13,000 from one of the victims.
Local residents apprehended the defendants and reported the matter to the police, leading to their arrest. The charges brought against them contravene Sections 411, 172, and 287 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
During the court hearing, the defendants pleaded not guilty. Magistrate O.A. Ogbe granted each defendant bail of N1 million, requiring two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must own landed property and provide proof of three years’ tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
The magistrate also ordered that the second charge be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for further advice. The case was adjourned until October 3 for mention.
Crime
29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership
29-Year-Old Sentenced to 7 Years for Secret Cult Membership
A 29-year-old man, Tobiloba Ogunbo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for being a member of a secret cult, following a ruling by the Ogun Special Cultism Court in Abeokuta.
Ogunbo, who had initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, involvement in an unlawful society, and causing a public disturbance, was found guilty by Magistrate O.L. Oke. The court ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove Ogunbo’s involvement, leading to the conviction.
The court also noted that the convict will serve his sentence without the option of a fine.
Prosecutor Inspector Olaide Rawlings told the court that Ogunbo and several associates had injured a man, identified as Mr. Anu, during a confrontation in the Sabo area of Abeokuta on January 19, 2024. Following an investigation, Ogunbo was arrested, and he confessed to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.
The charges against Ogunbo violated Sections 45(b), 34, 36, and 37 of the Secret Cults Prohibition and Special Provisions Law of Ogun 2016.
Crime
Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos
Police Nab Three Suspected Kidnappers After N3 Million Ransom in Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers involved in a ransom operation after collecting N3 million from the family of their victim.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. According to Hundeyin, the Isashi Police Division received a distress call around noon on Tuesday, reporting the abduction of an individual by unknown assailants in the Oke Moro area of Isashi.
Responding swiftly, police officers arrived at the scene, where they rescued a 24-year-old male victim and apprehended the three suspects.
“Initial investigations revealed the suspects had beaten the victim and demanded a ransom of N2 million, which the victim’s mother paid into two separate bank accounts,” Hundeyin said. He further explained that the suspects also forced the victim to transfer N1 million from his bank account and took his three Nigerian international passports, among other valuables.
The police are continuing their investigation and are working to apprehend others involved who managed to flee the scene.
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