News

Alleged $6bn fraud: Court admits ex-minister, Olu Agunloye to N50m bail

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday admitted former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye bail in the sum of N50 million.

Agunloye was charged with seven counts bordering on forgery, disobedience of presidential order and corruption in the suit marked FCT/HC/CR/617/22, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Ruling in Agunloye’s bail application, Justice Onwuegbuzie held that the defendant had placed enough facts before the court for it to be granted bail.

He added that bail is meant to ensure a defendant is present in court to face trial.

He further held that bail is at the discretion of the court.

The judge held that the court is favourable disposed to grant bail to the applicant/defendant and subsequently granted Agunloye bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the sureties, must be persons of means and repute who possess landed property worth N300 million and must deposit photocopies of the documents of the property as well as that of their passports with the court.

The judge added that the sureties also have to be residents of FCT and their residences would be verified by the registrar of the court

He further ordered that Agunloye must drop his passport with the court and must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court.

Earlier, counsel for Agunloye, Adeola Adedipe SAN, said the former minister was not a flight risk, contrary to the prosecution’s claim to that effect.

According to him, Agunloye had voluntarily gone to EFCC office on May 16, 2023 before the commission wrote a letter inviting him on May 19, 2023.

He told the court that shortly after the May 16 visit to EFCC, the defendant fell ill and was admitted in a hospital, which he (Aguloye) duly notified the commission in writing and pleaded for time to enable him honour the invitation.

According to Adedipe, the defendant filed a suit in court when EFCC’s pressure was becoming too much and also notified the anti-graft agency of the pendency of the suit, only for EFCC to later declared him wanted on December 13, 2023.

Adedipe urged the court to grant the defendant bail in self recognizance being a elderly statesman, the pioneer Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and his ill health or in the alternative be granted bail in most liberal terms.

Citing the Appeal Court decision on Dasuki vs DG, Department of State Service (DSS), the senior counsel urged the court not to ask the defendant to get civil servant as a surety before being granted bail.

He further said that the provision of Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has cleared the apprehension of court on whether a defendant granted bail would jump bail or not.

Responding, prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, urged the court to refuse bail for the defendant being a flight risk.

He added that the court should equally discountenance the submission made by Adedipe from the Bar, urging the court to confine itself with the issues raised in affidavits and counter affidavits before it.

EFCC equally urged the court to disregard the authority of Dasuki vs DG, DSS cited by Adedipe, arguing that using it would breach the prosecution’s right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Justice Onwuegbuzie however adjourned the case until Feb. 12 for hearing.

News

Tinubu condoles with NNPCL boss over daughter’s death

President Bola Tinubu has condoled the death of his daughter with the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr Kolo Mele Kyari.

Kyari’s daughter, Fatima died Friday at the age of 25 after protracted illness.

The President sympathised with Kyari and the rest of the family on the irreparable and painful loss.

He prayed for the repose of the soul of Fatima and urged the Kyari family to stay strong at these trying times

News

Lagos sacks six LASTMA officials over misconduct

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has dismissed six of its officials based on the directive from the Lagos State Civil Service Commission (CSC).

This follows the recommendations of the Personnel Management Board, which flagged the officers for serious misconduct and inefficiency.

The disciplinary actions were officially communicated to the affected officials at LASTMA’s headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the Civil Service Commission had approved the board’s recommendations.

He emphasised that the disciplinary measures were in strict accordance with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Bakare-Oki reassured the public that LASTMA is committed to improving its operations and urged Lagos residents to report both commendable acts and cases of misconduct by LASTMA officials, providing necessary evidence.

“This exercise is part of our ongoing efforts to rid the agency of errant officers. Another Personnel Management Board meeting will soon be held to review additional cases,” he said.

He also called on road users in Lagos to adhere to traffic laws, reminding them that violations would lead to penalties, including fines imposed by the Lagos Mobile Courts.

Highlighting the importance of compliance, Bakare-Oki noted that following traffic regulations is key to achieving Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “Greater Lagos” vision, with traffic management being a core pillar of the THEMES Plus Development Agenda.

Mmebers of the public were encouraged to report complaints through LASTMA’s toll-free hotline (080000527862) or the Walk-In Complaint Centre at their Oshodi headquarters.

Bakare-Oki reassured citizens that LASTMA is committed to addressing all complaints impartially while protecting the civil rights of motorists across the state.

News

Zulum opens houses for teachers in Buratai Secondary School in Tum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday night, commissioned two projects constructed by his administration in Biu Local Government Area in the southern part of the state.

The projects include a housing estate for teachers in Buratai town and a new secondary school in Tum village.

The Buratai housing estate comprises 10 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows aimed at addressing the problem of housing deficit particularly as it affects teachers in Borno State.

Tum Day Secondary School, one of the 102 constructed by the Zulum administration is a co-educational senior secondary school attached with junior secondary and primary schools.

Performing the brief opening ceremony, Zulum assured that his administration is committed to improving the quality of healthcare service delivery and education in Borno State.

He said, “I want to assure you that this administration is committed to providing affordable quality health care delivery systems and, most importantly, education, which is the bedrock for any meaningful development. Without education, there will be no meaningful development.”

As a mark of appreciation for the numerous projects by the Zulum administration, Buratai community presented a plaque to the governor commending his integrity in governance.