News
EFCC witness contradicts self in ex-Minister, Turaki’s trial
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2020 (Nigerian News 24) The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s witness, Mr Umar Tahir, on Monday, contradicted himself in the ongoing trial of a former Minister in the President Goodluck Jonathan-led government, Taminu Turaki.
The development occurred when Tahir, who was a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Islamic Affairs in the same government, was being cross-examined by Counsel to Turaki, Joe Gadzama, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Nigerian News 24 reports that Turaki, the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs between 2013 and 2015, is facing a money laundering charges involving about N854 million.
He also served as the supervising Minister of Labour from 2014 to 2015 in President Jonathan-led administration.
Nigerian News 24 reports that the EFCC had, on May 4, arraigned the former minister alongside his former Special Assistant, Sampson Okpetu, and two firms; Samtee Essentials Limited and Pasco Investment Limited, on 16 counts of money laundering.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants used the companies to launder funds totaling about N845 million stolen from the two ministries where the minister held sway under the then administration.
However, Turaki and Okpetu pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Tahir had, on June 23, while giving his evidence-in-chief, alleged that Turaki released N200 million to him out of the N359 million approved by former President Jonathan to launder the image of the government through sensitisation of Muslim groups in parts of the country in 2014.
At the cross-examination on Monday, Tahir admitted that N150 million was transfered to him in tranches while the remaining N50 million was handed to him by Tukari’s aide.
When Gadzama asked Tahir how much he had so far paid out of the N67 million the EFCC asked him to refund from the N200 million, the witness said the anti-graft agency only asked him to refund N20 million.
“How much have you refunded so far?” he asked.
“I have refunded about N1.7 million,” he responded.
But Gadzama disagreed with him, saying from the documented evidence before the court, he had, at three different occasions, paid about N3 million to the EFCC, of which Tahir did not object to.
Asking further, Gadzama said: “I put it to you that the entire money, which is N404 million, was released for the project.”
“I am not aware that the total money was N404 million,” Tahir responded.
The lawyer then proceeded to show him the amount from the documented evidence.
“N404 million was released for this project from this memo. Do you agree with me; from the exhibits in court?” he asked again.
“I am not aware. I am only concerned with what was giving to me and this has been my argument with EFCC,” Tahir replied.
The lawyer asked him what step did he take when he saw that N200 million was released to him from the N359 million.
Tahir, however, refused to give a direct answer, insisting that he had to offer an explanation.
“I seek the protection of my lord to offer an explanation,” he said.
“No, this is simple question. You told the court that N359 million was approved to you and you got N200 million. What did you do to get the balance,” the lawyer asked again.
Tahir said: “I asked the minister and he said the release was in tranches and I have no reason to doubt him.”
Justice Ekwo, however, cautioned Tahir when the cross-examination session turned into heated argument.
“Did you want me to form an opinion about you that you are not cooperating with the evidence?
“Your language is very bad. You need to know you are before the court,” the judge said
Ekwo, adjourned the matter until Sept. 22 for continuation of cross-examination and trial.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Osun State has raised concerns over the alleged recruitment of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the state’s Amotekun Corps, claiming it threatens the safety of opposition members.
In a statement issued on Friday, APM Chairman, Mr. Adewale Adebayo, criticized the recruitment process, alleging that non-PDP applicants were deliberately screened out. He warned that Amotekun, originally created to enhance security, was being turned into a political tool.
“We are disturbed by the protest by well-meaning Osun residents who applied but were deliberately excluded because they are not PDP members,” Adebayo stated.
He further alleged that over 1,000 PDP members had been recruited into the corps, describing it as an attempt to silence opposition voices. According to him, the recruitment exercise was merely a formality to cover up a pre-arranged selection process favoring ruling party members.
APM has called for the resignation of the Corps Commandant and Field Commandant of Amotekun, demanding an apology to the affected applicants and the people of the state. The party insisted that the security outfit must remain apolitical to maintain public trust.
Neither the Osun State Government nor the leadership of Amotekun has responded to the allegations as of the time of this report.
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
Opposition no longer safe with recruitment of Osun PDP members into Amotekun – APM
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