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I Have No Case To Answer On False Assets Declaration Charges —– Saraki Tells CCT

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7 years ago

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The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that he has no case to answer in the charges of false declaration pf assets brought against him by the Federal Government since 2015 shortly after he emerged as the Chairman of the National Assembly.

 

He announced to the tribunal his readiness to file a no case submission in the charges to establish that he was not in any way been linked with any crime or prima facie  established against him since the trial started.

 

Saraki, through his counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) informed the Tribunal headed by Hon Dandali Yakubu Umar that he will need the complete record of proceedings since 2015 when the trial started to enable him review the evidence so far adduced by government and to make his no case submission in line with the provisions of the law.

 

The decision of Saraki to make the no case submission came as the Federal Government formally concluded the prosecution of the charges against him after calling four witnesses and tendering several documents to establish a case of false assets declaration against the defendant.

 

Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who has led the prosecution team since the trial commenced did not object to the announcement of Saraki to file a no case submission on the ground that it is the defendant’s right to do so.

 

Jacobs however pleaded with the Tribunal to consider time factor in View of the fact that trial had dragged since 2015.

 

Chairman of the Tribunal, Umar, after consultation with parties in the matter, fixed June 8, 2016 for the Tribunal to adopt the written submissions expected to be filed and exchanged by the prosecution and the defense.

 

At the resumed trial yesterday, a prosecution witness, Mr. Bayo Dauda had informed the Tribunal that the documents allegedly used for foreign transactions by Saraki were not in possession of his bank.

 

The witness, who came from one of the banks to tender some documents and give evidence, informed the Tribunal that all efforts to locate the documents were unsuccessful because the transactions had taken place long time ago.

 

Besides, the witness further said that he had no address of any proper bought in London by Saraki with the alleged foreign remittances.

 

He however admitted that Saraki, like any other customer took loans three times from his bank to purchase properties and that the loans had been repaid in line with terms of agreement guiding the loan agreement.

 

The witness informed the Tribunal that the defendant, apart from not defaulting in the payment for the three loans also complied with other terms which included the submissions of the tittle documents of the properties to bank purchased with the loans.

 

Dauda further stated that Saraki also had a comprehensive insurance on the properties acquired with the loans.

 

It will be recalled that the Federal government had, in 2015 dragged Saraki before the Tribunal accusing him of failure to declare his assets as required by while he served as the executive governor of Kwara state and when he emerged as a Senator from Kwara.

 

It will also be recalled also that the Federal government had amended the charge against Saraki four times before finally closing the case against the Senate President.

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2023 Ogwashi-Uku Carnival Holds 25th Dec

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3 days ago

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December 7, 2023

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The Ogwashi-Uku Carnival, the biggest carnival in Delta state is set to hold its 13th anniversary carnival on the 25th December 2023.

 

The Founder/Chief Host of the Carnival, Anthonia Oguah disclosed this in a press statement on Thursday.

 

Ogwashi-Uku Carnival is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Ogwashi-Uku people in Delta State, a period to merry, bond and reunite with loved ones from Nigeria and the diaspora.

This season, the Carnival will feature road walk, Fashion Parade

Cultural Dance Troupes

Local Delicacies and lots more.

 

It is sponsored by Ogwashi-Uku Association USA Incorporated.

 

Oguah promised that this years carnival is going to be a special one with lots of varieties and great Ogwashi-Uku sons and daughters all over the world from far and near.

 

She said this year’s event will surpass other previous carnivals because she and her team have really worked hard to put the carnival together, studying the past Ogwashi-Uku Carnivals they have held and have planned excellently well to put this year’s event together.

 

“It’s going to be something big and different,very interesting, exciting and entertaining with lots and lots of fun,fully packed,” the statement said.

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ONDEA Unveiled as Headline Sponsor For 2023 Lead Awards

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2 weeks ago

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November 30, 2023

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Project Lead Africa is thrilled to announce Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) as the official sponsor for the 2023 Leadership Excellence and Dignity Awards. According to the organizers, the 2023 Lead Awards ceremony promises to be bigger and better, with the support of leading organizations driving innovation and growth within and outside Ondo State.

 

In a press statement made available to journalists in Lagos, the Principal Consultant and Executive Director, Project Lead Africa, Mr. Abiola Alaba Peters said “We are glad of this collaboration, having Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) as our headline sponsor for this year, is such a honor, the aim is to inspire more these generations to keep doing more for our dear Sunshine state”.

 

Also referred to as “Ondo State Most Prestigious” Leadership Excellence and Dignity Awards is an annual award ceremony that celebrates individuals and organizations that are proudly Ondo State indigenes.

 

Themed, ‘Celebrating High Achievers”, “the 2023 Lead Awards aims to unearth the giants of the Sunshine state that are yet to be celebrated” says the Project Director, Adebukola Oba, who also confirmed that the event will showcase a new wave of super creative and talented individuals, including organizations that are eager to take Ondo State to the next level.

 

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Entrepreneurship Development, Dr. Summy Smart Francis (hc) stated that the ONDEA’s decision to sponsor the 2023 Lead Awards was borne out of the desire to inform, educate and encourage creative’s and other professionals, particularly young people in Ondo State.

 

Mr. Smart who is also the founder and President Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (A.Y.E) while thinking His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, for providing the platform for young people to thrive in the state, express his enthusiasm to speak and interact with fellow compatriots at this year Lead Awards.

 

While Lead Awards aim to drive collaboration, foster partnerships, and provide a platform for quality leaders to share insights that can shape future generations, Ondo State Entrepreneurship Agency (ONDEA) which is an initiative of Akeredolu led administration, aimed at providing professional guidance to local entrepreneurs, empowers SMEs and MSMEs in Ondo State.

 

Associate sponsors for the 2023 Lead Awards include Dejavu Hotels, AutoProbe, Shaunze Royal and Aristo Games & Bristrol among others.

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EFCC ARRAIGNS COUPLE FOR ALLEGED N2.7BN FRAUD IN LAGOS

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2 weeks ago

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November 30, 2023

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday 28 November arraigned a couple, Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on 20-count charges bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, money laundering, stealing, retention of stolen property, and forgery to the tune of N2,757,188,000.00 only.

The couple were arraigned alongside Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, which all belong to Ruth Idowu.

One of the counts reads: “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, sometime in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, converted the sum of N10,000,000 to purchase a GLK Benz, purchase sum derived from converting the sum of N500,000,000 belonging to Creditpro Business Support Services with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the funds.”

Another count reads: “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd., Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, sometime in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, dishonestly retained the sum of N936,619,876 in your UBA bank account, property of Creditpro Business Support services knowing same to be funds fraudulently obtained from Creditpro Business Support Services.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to  them.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants  at a Correctional Facility.

Counsel to the first defendant, G. Onwubuya, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which had yet to be served on the prosecution.

He prayed the court to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody and also sought a short adjournment for the hearing and determination of the bail application.

In her objection, Buhari informed the court that the holding facility of the EFCC was already overstretched.

She also told the court that the appropriate place, following arraignment, was a Correctional Centre.

The Judge held that there was no bail application before the court for the second defendant, whose counsel, J.J. Ogunyemi, had yet to file.

Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the matter till December 15, 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre “pending hearing and determination of their bail applications”.

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