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August 16, 2024 Court Orders Forfeiture of $2.04 Million, Properties, and Shares Linked to Emefiele

Court Orders Forfeiture of $2.04 Million, Properties, and Shares Linked to Emefiele

The Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an interim forfeiture order for $2.045 million in cash and several properties linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Justice Akintayo Aluko also ordered the forfeiture of seven properties associated with the suspended CBN Governor.

These properties include two duplexes on Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, an undeveloped land on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, a bungalow on the same street, a four-bedroom duplex on Probyn Road, Ikoyi, an industrial complex under construction in Agbor, Delta State, eight undetached apartments on Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a duplex on Bank Road, Ikoyi. Additionally, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of two shares in Queensdorf Global Fund Limited Trust.

The order followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo. Oyedepo argued that the funds and properties are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

He also explained that the application was made under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, Section 44 (2)(B) of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

According to an affidavit from EFCC Investigator Idi Musa, the investigation revealed that Emefiele and his associates engaged in fraudulent activities, including negotiating kickbacks for foreign exchange allocations. These illicit gains were allegedly used to acquire the properties now forfeited. The affidavit also detailed the involvement of Ifeanyi Omeke, a Deputy General Manager at Zenith Bank, who allegedly facilitated the purchase and documentation of these properties on behalf of Emefiele.

The court granted the interim forfeiture after reviewing the evidence and legal arguments presented.

August 15, 2024 NJC Nominates Justice Kekere-Ekun for Chief Justice of Nigeria

NJC Nominates Justice Kekere-Ekun for Chief Justice of Nigeria

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

NJC spokesperson, Soji Oye, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, stating that the decision was made during the Council’s 106th meeting, which was presided over by the current CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. The meeting took place on August 14 and 15 in Abuja, just a week before Justice Ariwoola’s retirement as CJN.

"This recommendation is essential as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will officially retire from his position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next Thursday, August 22, 2024," the statement read.

Justice Olukayode Ariwoola was appointed as the CJN on September 21, 2022, by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is set to retire on August 22, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Currently, the Supreme Court has a full bench of 21 Justices, and according to the longstanding tradition of the apex court, the next most senior Justice is typically appointed as CJN. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, being the most senior Justice on the bench, is the most likely candidate to succeed.

The NJC also recommended "twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja," to their respective State Governors and the President.

The full statement from the NJC is as follows:

The National Judicial Council, at its 106th Meeting presided over by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, held on August 14 & 15, 2024, recommended Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

This recommendation is crucial as Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, will officially retire from his position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria next Thursday, August 22, 2024.

The Council also recommended twenty-seven (27) candidates for appointment as Judges of State Courts and one candidate for appointment as Kadi of the Sharia Court of the FCT, Abuja, to their respective State Governors and the President.

 

CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA

Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, CFR

 

SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF KWARA STATE

Olawoyin, Ibijoke Olabisi

Abdulrazaq, Fatimah Funsho

Folorunsho, Oba Muritala

Dikko, Yusuf Adebayo

Adeniyi, Oluwatosin Adenike

Osuolale-Ajayi, Temitope Olalekan

 

ONE JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF KADUNA STATE

Zubairu, Murtala Ja’afaru

FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF BENUE STATE

 

Kor, Vincent Tersoo

Ikwulono, Maigida Maimuna

Adagba, Nguhemen Julie

Tor, Damian Tersugh

TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, BENUE STATE

 

Onche, Ogah Inalegwu

Igba, Theophilus Terhile

EIGHT JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF RIVERS STATE

Onyiri, Frank

Ugoji, Victor Chinedum

Obomanu, Godswill Vidal

Oguguo, Rita Chituru

Fubara, Alatuwo Elkanah

Kokpan, Bariyima Sylvester

Obu, Ibietela Innocent Madighi

Wifa-Adedipe, Lesi

SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT OF ONDO STATE

Daomi, Williams Adebisi

Fabuluje, Adewumi William

Ogunwumiju, Mobayonle Idowu

Demehin-Ogunbayo, Inumidun Happiness

Kpemi, Ojufisintei Justinah

Adegoroye, Olufunke Adeola

ONE KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, FCT ABUJA

Muhammad, Lawal Munir

All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors.

Soji Oye, Esq.

Director, Information

 

 

August 14, 2024 Finnish Government Confirms Actions Underway in Simon Ekpa’s Case

Finnish Government Confirms Actions Underway in Simon Ekpa’s Case

Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, revealed during a press conference in Abuja, Nigeria, that the case of Simon Ekpa, reported to the Finnish government by Nigerian authorities, is now being handled by Finnish courts.

Simon Ekpa, who refers to himself as the Prime Minister of Biafra, has been a vocal advocate for sit-at-home orders in Nigeria’s South Eastern states, despite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leadership having suspended the practice.

In February 2023, just days before Nigeria’s presidential and national assembly elections, Ekpa was arrested in Finland after threatening to disrupt the elections in the Southeast. The Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat reported that Ekpa was apprehended at his home in Lahti. Despite his arrest, Ekpa has continued to actively share his pro-Biafran views on social media.

Valtonen, along with her Nordic counterparts from Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Denmark, visited Nigeria to strengthen trade relations and discuss countering violent extremism in West Africa. The delegation is also focusing on sustainable development goals and continues their tour in Ghana.

READ ALSO: Simon Ekpa Takes Responsibility for Killing of Four Police Officers in Nigeria’s Southeast

August 14, 2024 Kano Lawmaker Discloses N21m Monthly Salary

Kano Lawmaker Discloses N21m Monthly Salary

Senator Sumaila Kawu of Kano South has disclosed that his total monthly take-home pay is over N21 million. This comes shortly after the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) stated that each of the 109 senators receives around N1.06 million monthly in salary and allowances. According to RMAFC, this would amount to N12.72 million annually per senator, with a total of N1.4 billion spent yearly on the Senate.

In a recent interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Senator Kawu clarified that while his official monthly salary is under N1 million, deductions reduce it to about N600,000, with his total monthly earnings reaching N21 million. His statement contrasts sharply with the figures provided by RMAFC, which claims that the commission only approves salaries and allowances as outlined in the Remuneration (Amendment) Act, 2008.

The issue of lawmakers' earnings has sparked fresh debate, particularly after former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticized federal lawmakers for setting their own pay. Additionally, former Senator Shehu Sani previously revealed that senators receive a monthly running cost of N13.5 million, along with the N750,000 salary prescribed by the commission.

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