N109.5 Billion Fraud: EFCC re-arraigns ex-Accountant General Idris

They were first arraigned on July 22 before a vacation judge, Justice Adeyemi Ajayi on a 13-count charge bordering on misappropriation to the tune of N109.5 billion.

By Harun BABAIZHI• OCTOBER 26, 2022

Ahmed Idris

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission  (EFCC) on Wednesday re-arraigned the suspended  Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and three others over alleged N109.5 billion fraud in an FCT High Court, Maitama.

Other defendants are Olusegun Akindele; Mohammed Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited.

They were first arraigned on July 22 before a vacation judge, Justice Adeyemi Ajayi on a 13-count charge bordering on misappropriation to the tune of N109.5 billion.

However, upon the resumption of the court, the case was transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by EFCC.

Following their not-guilty plea, counsel for Idris, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to allow the defendants continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted them by the court on July 28

He submitted that they have been complying with their bail conditions.

Counsel for other defendants aligned themselves with Mr Uche’s application and submission.

The EFCC Counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, did not object  to the application.

He, however, left the decision to the court to exercise its discretion.

Ruling on the application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right of a defendant.

He added that having been previously granted bail by the court, he is favourably inclined to allowing the defendants to continue enjoying the early bail granted them by the court.

He, however, directed that defendants  submit their passports to the court’s registrar.

The judge added that if the documents are with the prosecution, it should pass the same to the registrar.

Justice Halilu adjourned the case until November 23 for hearing.

The EFCC alleged that between February and December, 2021, Mr Idris accepted from Mr Akindele, a gratification of N15.1 billion, which sum was as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil producing states in the federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

The anti-graft agency also alleged that N84.3 billion from the federal government’s account was converted by the first and second defendants between February and November 2021.

The EFCC said the offence contravenes sections 155 and 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

The defendants pleaded not guilty. 

Cross River govt to sanction healthcare centres charging more than N3,000 for delivery

The Cross River State government has vowed to sanction Primary Healthcare (PHCs) facilities that charge more than N3,000 for delivery.

By HARUn babaizhi • OCTOBER 26, 2022

Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade

 The Cross River State government has vowed to sanction Primary Healthcare (PHCs) facilities that charge more than N3,000 for delivery.

Janet Ekpenyong, the director-general of the Cross River Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), said this during an integrated meeting with PHC Ward Focal Persons and the State Basic Healthcare Provision Scheme in Calabar.

Ms Ekpenyong said the agency had received complaints that some PHCs charge as much as N10,000.

“The PHCs are supposed to charge just N3,000 for delivery to purchase consumables, and this is only when they don’t come with their own consumables as stated on the list initially given to them,” she said.

Ms Ekpentong added, “While we totally condemn these actions, we have set up a team headed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health to ensure that culpable PHCs and personnel are adequately penalised.”

She explained that this was to encourage women to visit health facilities instead of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA).

She said that out of the 196 PHCs in the state, more than 130 had been accredited for the Cross River Basic Healthcare Insurance scheme,

adding that “as the scheme grows, other PHCs will be accredited too.”

The director-general warned officials of the PHCs to be aware that they would either encourage or discourage clients from returning to their facilities by their attitude.

On his part, Godwin Iyala, the director-general, Cross River Basic Healthcare Provision Scheme, said the scheme is essential to the health of pregnant women and during childbirth.

Mr Iyala said, “the PHCs were picked in a bid to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) because they are the closest to the people.”

According to him, 50 laptops are being distributed to the PHCs accredited for the Basic Healthcare Provision Scheme.

“Every month, the PHCs will be paid based on the number of enrollees they have, after proper monitoring and evaluation by the third party

administrators that will go round the facilities from time to time,” he explained.

David Ushie, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, appealed to officials to treat customers with respect, as patient satisfaction is key to the scheme’s success.

Man, daughter killed over alleged land dispute

By Harun Babaizhi On Oct 26, 2022

 A 55-year-old man, Michael Adesitimi and his 20-year-old daughter, Ebunoluwa, have been killed over alleged land dispute.

They were killed at different times at their Akure residence.

The daughter was reportedly killed nine months ago while the father, an ICT consultant, was killed on Tuesday night.

It was gathered that late Adesitimi was hacked with an axe at about 9pm while at home with his wife.

His wife was said to have escaped through the back door after watching her husband hacked with an axe.

Late Adesitimi was said to have answered a knock at his gate while his wife watched through the window.

It was when the wife saw that the men brought out an axe and a gun that she fled.

The wife has reportedly told the police that she heard the men demanding documents of the disputed piece of land in Ibadan.

Eldest son of the deceased, Atinu Adesitimi, said his parents were conscious about their safety after the death of his younger sister.

“According to my mother who was watching the scenario through the window, she said she saw two people who forced themselves into the compound through the gate.

“According to her, their faces were not clearly seen because the place was dark. All that she saw was the gun in the hand of one of the men who escorted my dad back into the main building which was a little distance from the gate.

“She overheard the men asking my father, “Where is the document?”

“My mum, who witnessed what was happening, took to her heels through the back door to our neighbour’s house where she was able to call policemen. The policemen at the checkpoint, rather than follow us to our house to save the situation, took us back to their station where we wasted time.

“By the time my mum and the policemen returned to the house, my father was already dead.

“My dad had earlier told me that there have been a case of land dispute between himself and some men that encroached on his grandmother’s land and that the case has been in court for six years.

“That is the only document my father told me about. Those who killed my sister were also looking for the paper of my father’s seven plots of land in Ibadan which the court had already given to my father because he was in possession of the original documents of the land.”

Ondo Police spokesman, SP Fumilayo Odunlami, said investigation has commenced into the incident.

“We can’t tell how it happened or how he was hacked to death as investigation is fully in top gear on the issue.”

BREAKING: Court awards FG N500m damage over Kanu’s rendition

By Harun Babaizhi On Oct 26, 2022

 A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital has awarded N500m against the Federal Government for the rendition of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu. 

Justice Evelyn Anyadike awarded the fine, throwing IPOB members at the court into jubilation/

Counsels to Kanu led by Aloy Ejimakor had approached the court accusing the Federal Government of torturing, and forceful rendition of the IPOB leader from Kenya to Nigeria. 

They were seeking N25bn damage against the Federal Government.

But the court in its ruling on Wednesday awarded N500m against the Federal Government.

Counsel to the Federal Government was absent from court, but Aloy Ejimakor was present with some IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu’s supporters.

Some of the supporters who spoke after the judgment ruling said it was victory of good over evil.

Details Shortly…