Business

Court remands Polaris Bank staffer in prison over alleged N16.6bn fraud

A Federal High Court (FHC), Abuja, on Friday, ordered Mr Chinenye Duru, a Polaris Bank staff and account officer to Mr Victor Onukogu, to be remanded in a correctional facility over alleged N16.6 billion fraud.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order after Duru was arraigned by the office of the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police and pleaded not guilty to the 11-count charge preferred against him.

While the I-G is the complainant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/603/2023, Polaris Bank Plc and Duru are 1st and 2nd defendants.

Upon resumed hearing, I-G’s counsel, Abdulrasheed Sidi, informed the court that the matter was fixed for arraignment.

But Duru’s lawyer Chukwuemeka Kalu, said though they were ready for the plea, the prosecution was in contempt of the FHC’s order and cannot be heard

“When I finish with the plea, you can say what you want to say,” Justice Ekwo declared.

Adedapo Adejumo, who appeared for Polaris Bank, said a plea of not guilty should be entered for his client.

After the 11 counts were read to Duru and he pleaded not guilty, Sidi applied for a date for trial.

But Kalu said on the taking of plea, a fundamental issues on the conduct of the prosecution had been raised.

The lawyer said though he was not objecting to a date for trial, he said during Duru’s detention, they approached the court for the enforcement of his right.

“The matter was before your learner brother, Hon. Justice D.U. Okorowo, who ordered for the interim release of the 2nd defendant on bail.

“The conditions for the bail were fulfilled on this same matter between the parties

“It was based on whether the prosecution will continue with investigation or prosecution of the 2nd defendant while the EFCC is doing the same,” he said.

Kalu said despite serving the court order on the I-G, they refused to comply with the directive, “upon which we commenced a contempt proceeding against him before this court.”

He said Forms 48 and 49 had been served on the I-G.

“We believe the Inspector-General of Police cannot take this court for granted on this same matter by bringing the 2nd defendant before the court,” he added.

The judge told Kalu that what was before him currently was a charge against Duru which plea had been taken.

He said if the lawyer had any objection to the trial proceedings or any other matter relating to the charge, he should look at the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and comply with it and the court would look at his application and make a decision.

“Where is your application for bail?” Justice Ekwo asked.

The lawyer responded that they were standing on the already existing order by Justice Okorowo.

“Did you file it?,” the judge asked.

“We did not but the order is already before the court,” he responded.

Justice Ekwo then said that he would make two orders; one for the trial and the other for Duru’s remand, but if Kalu files the bail application, a date would be given to hear it.

“How many witnesses are you calling?” he asked the police lawyer and Sidi said five witnesses.

The judge, who adjourned the matter until April 23, April 24 and April 25 for trial, ordered Duru to be remanded in a correctional centre pending further orders of the court.

In count one, Polaris Bank and Duru were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrew from Onukogu Victor Hezekiah’s account numbers: 1040495455 and 1060104735, domiciled with the bank the sum of N16 billion and N500 million.

It said that knowing that the said money did not belong to them, “and knowing the same act was wrong with the intention of converting same to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

In count four, the defendants were alleged to have between Nov. 17, 2017 and Aug. 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrew the sum of N75. 534 million from Onukogu’s account number: 4010023601 contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.

In count six, they were alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn the sum of N13.3 million from Hezekiah University’s account number: 40910106770.

The defendants were also alleged to have fraudulently withdrew the sum of N16.3 million between the same date from Hezekiah University’s account number: 411054152 without any authorisation from the account owner with the intention of converting same to their own personal use contrary to the Money Laundering Act, among other counts.

Onukogu, also known as Daddy Hezekiah, is the spiritual head of Living Christ Mission Church, Onitsha in Anambra.(NAN)

Business

Dangote Refinery announces first PMS exports to Cameroon

Dangote Refinery and Neptune Oil jointly announced the first-ever export of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, from Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refinery, to Cameroon.

The 650,000 barrels per day refinery disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Dangote Refinery said that the feat is the result of a strategic collaboration between the two companies, underscoring their commitment to strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and Cameroon while meeting the region’s growing energy demands.

Reacting, Aliko Dangote, President and CEO of the Dangote Group, noted that the export of PMS to Cameroon is a tangible demonstration of the group’s vision for a united and energy-independent Africa.

“With this development, we are laying the foundation for a future where African resources are refined and exchanged within the continent for the benefit of our people,” he said.

On his part, Antoine Ndzengue, Director and Owner of Neptune Oil, emphasised that the partnership with Dangote Refinery marks a turning point for Cameroon by becoming the first importer of petroleum products from this world-class refinery.

“We are bolstering our country’s energy security and supporting local economic development. This initial supply, executed without international intermediaries, reflects our commitment to serving our markets independently and efficiently,” he stated.

Business

Ekiti Airport gets NCAA’s approval to commence non-scheduled flight operation December 15

Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA) Ado-Ekiti has received the approval of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence non-scheduled flight operation effective December 15th, 2024.

The NCAA, in a letter dated December 11, 2024 and addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, said the approval of the non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the airport is for a period of six months- December 15, 2024 to June 15, 2025.

The letter, which was signed by NCAA Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, was in response to the state government’s application for flight operational permit for the airport.

According to NCAA, the approval for a six months non-schedule operation at the airport is to enable the NCAA validate the implementation of the pending findings and to allow Ekiti State Government time to rectify a few outstanding Corrective Action items indicated in the agency’s last inspection report.

As part of compliance steps towards the commencement of the non-scheduled flight operations at the airport, operations are to be in agreement with relevant agencies for provision of essential services, including Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security and Meteorological services.

It will be recalled that the State government had earlier signed MoUs and Service Level Agreements with these federal aviation agencies.

The Government of Ekiti State welcomes NCAA’s approval for the non-scheduled flight operation, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6.00am to 6.00pm (or sunrise to sunset), preparatory to the final approval for commercial flight operations.

Most new airports are usually given non-scheduled flight approval to allow them clear audit gaps in their compliance before final approval for flight operational permit.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji describes the NCAA’s approval as a welcome development and a justification for the state’s investment in the airport project, which was designed to boost Ekiti State’s socioeconomic development by making the state more readily accessible.

Governor Oyebanji had earlier in the year assured stakeholders that the Ekiti airport would become operational before the end of the year.

Business

NCAA to punish airline operators for delayed tickets refund

N46bn debt: NCAA threatens to withdraw airlines’ licences

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has expressed its readiness to punish any airlines that delay tickets refund to the passengers.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja,.

He said tickets refund compliance regulations remain central to the NCAA’s consumer protection agenda.

According to him, the time had come for airlines to adhere strictly to the refund timelines as failure to comply will attract immediate sanctions under Part 19 of the regulations.

The director said Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 aimed to safeguard passenger rights.

Speaking on a specific case involving Air Peace, the director stated that the airline had exceeded the stipulated refund timeframe, compelling the NCAA to demand swift compliance.

Achimugu added that the incident has triggered the regulators to take decisive action against any form of non-compliance.

“Cash purchases must be refunded immediately, and by cash. Refunds for electronic payments, including mobile apps and internet banking, must occur within 14 days.

“Over the past year, the NCAA has worked with airlines to enhance passenger experience and resolve operational challenges.

”The Authority has maintained a balanced approach, fostering cooperation between operators and regulators to promote better service delivery.

“Most airlines have been responsive, and the relationship between operators and the NCAA has significantly improved, benefiting passengers across the board,” he said.

Achimugu, however, said that the era of leniency had ended with stricter enforcement measures now in place, adding that airlines that failed to meet the refund timelines outlined in the NCAA Regulations 2023 would face sanctions