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Alleged fraud: Court admits oil magnate, Akintoye, to N500m bail

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted Mr Akindele Akintoye, Founder and Chairman of Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited, to a N500 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that though he was not unmindful of the serious nature of the offence preferred against the defendant but he was minded to grant the bail in the interest of justice.

Justice Nwite, who ordered that the two sureties shall depose to affidavit of means, directed that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and the documents deposited with the deputy registrar of the court.

He ordered that all his international passports be deposited with the registrar and shall not travel without the permission of the court.

He also ordered that Akintoye and the sureties shall deposit two recent passport photographs each and the residence of the sureties verified by the court registrar.

The judge, who ordered that both the prosecution and defence counsel shall supervise and interview the proposed sureties before Akintoye is released on bail, adjourned the matter until March 4 for trial.

Freedomonline reports that Justice Nwite had, on Dec. 31, 2024, fixed today for ruling after Esedo and Martha Babatunde, who appeared for the EFCC, argued their case for and against the bail application.

Esedo, while moving the application, had posed a question whether the defendant was entitled to bail.

The lawyer argued that issues of bail is a matter of discretion which is exercised judicially and judiciously by the court.

He said Akintoye is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty, adding that he had met all the requirements for granting bail.

Esedo assured that if granted bail, the defendant would not jump bail and was ready to stand his trial.

Besides, he said that the anti-graft agency had already concluded its investigation, having held him for 55 days.

Babatunde, who vehemently opposed the bail plea, argued that Sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) did not impose on the court to grant bail.

The lawyer, who argued that a bail is not granted as a matter of must, said it is the duty of the applicant to place sufficient evidence before the court.

She argued that the evidence against Akintoye was weighty as it bordered on serious national economic sabotage and financial crime which is currently ravaging the country.

She said if admitted to bail, Akintoye would not attend trial, describing him as a flight risk.

Freedomonline reports that Akintoye, in the four-count charge, was alleged to have diverted a sum of $26,,060, 406.00 US dollars meant to build a refinery in Brass, Bayelsa.

Akintoye, Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited and Duport Midstream Company Limited, where he is also the Managing Director and CEO, were sued as 1st to 3rd defendants respectively, by the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/641/V/2024 dated and filed on Dec. 19 by its lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, alleged that Akintoye and Platform Capital Investment Partners Limited had between December, 2020 and February, 2021, indirectly retained 16 million dollars.

The amount, the EFCC said, was part of the funds dishonestly converted from the money paid by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Capacity Development Intervention Company Ltd to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited as investment.

The said sum of $16, 006, 000 is alleged to constitute proceed of unlawful activity.

The offence, EFCC said, is contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) by (Act No. 1 of 20!2) and punishable under Section [5(3) of the same Act, among other counts

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Policeman remanded for allegedly raping teenager inside Lagos office

An Ogba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of 56-year-old policeman Owolabi Akinlolu at the Maximum Correctional Centre Kirikiri for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in his office.

Owolabi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, allegedly raped the survivor in his office after promising to help recover her phone, which was stolen by one-chance robbers while she was returning from Ikeja with her grandmother and siblings.

Akinlolu reportedly summoned the teenager to his office on June 29, claiming they had apprehended the suspect who had stolen her phone two weeks earlier.Upon arriving at the police station, the senior police officer allegedly locked his office door behind him and raped the teenager.

In July 2024, the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case, revealing that the suspect’s wife and family had pleaded with her to drop the charges, as Akinlolu was set to retire in December 2024.

At the Magistrate Court 11 on Tuesday, the prosecution counsel, backed by a seven-paragraph affidavit, urged the court to remand the defendant, stating that the offence of defilement violates Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.In response to the prosecution’s request, Magistrate O.O. Fagboun ordered the defendant’s remand at the Maximum Correctional Centre and adjourned the case until March 11, 2025, for trial and further proceedings. Punch

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Saudi Arabia releases new 2025 Hajj rules, bans children, updated visa policies

Saudi Arabia has announced new changes to the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, including a new restriction barring children from participating.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stated that the move aimed to protect children from potential dangers posed by heavy crowds during the pilgrimage.

The decision is part of broader efforts to ensure a safer and more seamless Hajj experience.

According to the ministry, the large crowds during Hajj pose serious risks to children, making this precautionary measure necessary.

Additionally, priority for the 2025 Hajj will be given to first-time pilgrims to allow more Muslims the opportunity to undertake this religious obligation at least once in their lives.

● Changes in visa regulations

Starting February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia will issue only single-entry visas for pilgrims from 14 countries, including India, to prevent unauthorized Hajj participation.

Authorities noted that unauthorized pilgrimages had contributed to overcrowding at key sites, making crowd management and safety more challenging.

The updated visa policy aims to improve the overall Hajj experience by controlling the number of attendees.

Saudi authorities continue to refine Hajj regulations to make the pilgrimage safer and more organized.

Pilgrims are encouraged to register through official channels and follow the new guidelines to avoid complications.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia had also introduced significant changes to its visa policy, effective February 1, 2025, limiting travellers from 14 countries to single-entry visas.

This move aims to address concerns over unauthorized Hajj pilgrims entering the country on long-term visit visas.

● Affected Countries

The new regulations target travellers from the following nations: Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. As part of the policy shift, the Saudi government has indefinitely suspended the one-year multiple-entry visas for tourism, business, and family visits from these countries.

●¡Hajj registration and new payment options

Saudi citizens and residents can register for the 2025 Hajj season via the Nusuk app or the official website. Applicants are required to verify their personal details and register their travel companions.

A new instalment-based payment plan has also been introduced for domestic pilgrims. Payments can be made in three stages: a 20% deposit within 72 hours of booking, followed by two 40% instalments due by Ramadan 20 and Shawwal 20. The ministry clarified that reservations will only be confirmed once the final payment is received.

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Troops rescue three kidnap victims in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims along the Barkin Ladi-Mangu road in Mairana village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Intelligence sources said the rescue operation was carried out on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, following intelligence on the abduction.

The sources said that the victims were kidnapped at approximately 7:45 a.m. on February 11, 2025.

In response, troops from Sector 8 of Operation Golden Peace swiftly mobilized to the scene, where they discovered a red Ford Space Bus parked along the roadside.

Troops immediately conducted a search operation in the surrounding bushes, leading to the successful rescue of the three victims unharmed.

The kidnappers had abandoned them and fled upon sighting the advancing security personnel.

The victims were reunited with their vehicle and continued their journey safely. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing criminals.

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