Headline

Alleged N2.9bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Okorocha As Ex-Governor Pleads Not Guilty

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2022

…Court Remands Him In EFCC Custody

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a presidential hopeful and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly, was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday in the nation’s capital.

Channels Television observed that the courtroom was already filled to capacity as of 9am, with several others standing as they await the commencement of the proceedings.

The former governor is being tried on a 17-count charge to the tune of N2.9 billion filed against him by the anti-graft agency.

He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the APC and five companies to steal from public coffers, although he has since denied any wrongdoing.

When the proceedings began, the lawmaker took a stand in the dock after which the charges were read to him.

In his response, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The second defendant in the suit, Anyim Chinenye, as well as the five companies also pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Okorocha’s arraignment comes three days after he lost the bid to be admitted on bail, pending the determination of a suit he had instituted against the Federal Government.

He had predicated his bail request on the ground that he was a presidential aspirant, stressing that his political ambition would be jeopardised unless he was granted bail.

But Justice Ekwo, in a brief ruling on Okorocha’s bail application on Friday, said he was not inclined to admit the applicant to bail.

Rather, the judge ordered Okorocha to put the Federal Government on notice to come and defend his detention.

Okorocha has been in EFCC custody since Tuesday last week following a drama that played out when a team of operatives stormed his residence in the Maitama area of Abuja to arrest him.

The team, who insisted that Okorocha must submit himself for arrest or honour a long-standing invitation to their office, later barricaded the residence of the presidential aspirant.

Following a series of drama at the scene, gunshots were heard as the anti-graft agency’s team broke into Okorocha’s house and left with the presidential aspirant to their office.

Meanwhile, Okorocha, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission pending the determination of his bail application.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the remand order on Monday.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and an ally to the ex-governor, Anyim Chinenye, is expected to join Okorocha in the EFCC custody.

Okorocha, Chinenye and five companies were arraigned on 17 counts of money laundering filed by the EFCC.

Ekwo adjourned till Tuesday for the hearing of the bail applications by Okorocha and Chinenye.

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Headline

Fubara: I Won’t Stop Rivers Assembly From Carrying Out Its Duties — Wike

Published

3 hours ago

March 16, 2025

The Pledge

LThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has again thrown his weight behind the Rivers Assembly in its tussle with Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Fubara and the House led by Martin-Amaewhule have made claims and counter-claims over the presentation of the state’s 2025 budget. Their impasse followed a Supreme Court verdict, recognising the lawmakers as legitimate members of the Rivers State Assembly.

That move led the House to ask Fubara to re-present the state’s 2025 budget which he had presented to the sect of lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Amid the dispute between the legislature and the governor who accused the lawmakers of frustrating his attempts to re-present the budget, Wike has backed the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Let me tell you, I’m not going to stop the Assembly from performing their constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to perform their constitutional role,” Wike said on Saturday during a Thanksgiving Service held in Abalama, Asari-Toru Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State.

“The Assembly people should do their work. Whatever they deem necessary and fit, that is constitutional, they should do. I’m not going to stop anybody from carrying out their functions. I will not do that,” the minister said.

The immediate past governor of the state accused Fubara of seizing allowances and other benefits accrued to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike claimed Fubara was deceived into recognising a group of lawmakers and was wrong assured that “Nothing would happen”.

“You went, and they told you to seize Assembly members’ salaries, and allowances for more than one year. These people have no income to pay their children’s school fees and feed their families, and you were jubilating. You were jubilating and people were encouraging you that nothing would happen. But something has happened,” the FCT minister who is also a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told the jubilant crowd.

“They will lead you to hellfire,” the minister warned Governor Fubara.

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Entertainment

Kiddwaya Meets Ambode, Seeks Leadership Advice

Published

11 hours ago

March 15, 2025

The Pledge

Reality TV star Kiddwaya, has shared his recent meeting with former Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

According to Kiddwaya, the discussion centred on how to utilise influence to empower his community and the essential qualities required to become a great leader.

Kiddwaya took to his Facebook page to express gratitude for the opportunity, describing the meeting as a “great discussion” with the former Governor.

“I had a great discussion with the former governor of Lagos state, His Excellency, Akinwunmi Ambode.

“As someone who had a successful tenure with Lagos state, I was able to get great advice on how to use my influence to empower my people and the qualities needed to become a great leader,” he wrote.

For more Nigerian Breaking News in Entertainment, Politics, Sports and Crime, please visit our website.

Headline

Tinubu hails pharmacist, public health icon, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, at 90

Published

12 hours ago

March 15, 2025

The Pledge

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated an academic, pharmacist and public health icon, Prof. Gabriel Osuide, as he celebrates his 90th birthday.

Mr Osuide’s contributions to pharmaceutical education, drug regulation and public health in Nigeria are unparalleled, the President said in a statement on Saturday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.

Mr Tinubu said that Mr Osuide’s work in establishing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and his role in developing the pharmacy education curriculum at the Ahmadu Bello University and the University of Benin were a few examples of his achievements.

The President commended Mr Osuide’s dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s drug regulatory framework, fostering excellence in pharmaceutical sciences, and mentoring generations of professionals.

He said, “Prof. Osuide has shaped the foundation of pharmacy education and drug administration in Nigeria. His unwavering commitment to academic excellence, institutional reforms and public service inspires all. His leadership in safeguarding the health of Nigerians through rigorous drug regulation remains a cornerstone of our national development.’’

According to him, Mr Osuide has helped to position Nigeria as a leader in pharmaceutical sciences and public health innovation.

“President Tinubu joins Prof. Osuide’s family, colleagues and the Nigerian health and education community in celebrating him, and expresses profound gratitude for his invaluable contributions. He wishes Professor Osuide good health and continued wisdom as he inspires and guides the next generation of health professionals.”

Mr Osuide attained 90 years on Saturday.

(NAN)