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Money Laundering: Judge Demands Sylva’s Presence In Court

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L-R: Commander, Joint Task Force, Bayelsa State, Commodore Ime Henry Ekpa, Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Frank Hanachor and Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Benaebi Oba, at the 2014 International Day Against Drug Trafficking in Yenagoa, recently.

L-R: Commander, Joint Task Force, Bayelsa State, Commodore Ime Henry Ekpa, Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Mr Frank Hanachor and Assistant Comptroller of Immigration, Mr Benaebi Oba, at the 2014 International Day Against Drug Trafficking in Yenagoa, recently.

A Federal High Court,
Abuja last Thursday  ordered that a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva and his co-accused persons, must always attend court proceedings for the N19.2 billion money laundering instituted against them   by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, gave the order in a ruling after parties’ lawyers argued on  whether it was necessary for the accused persons to attend court and enter the dock while still challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
Sylva and others are challenging the competence of the charges and also asking the court to disqualify the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), from handling the case.
Justice Mohammed, in his ruling held that Sylva and others, were, by law required to attend court at every hearing, since the charges had been formally instituted against them.
He said the accused were duty bound to attend court proceedings in relation to the charges  despite their pending applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction and the charges, and against the prosecuting counsel.
He added that the defence lawyers failed to show any legal provision that the client could stay away from court just because they had pending applications challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of the charges.
Sylva was present at the Thursday’s proceedings. But the judge declined to issue bench warrant requested for by the prosecution lawyer against the absentee accused persons.
The judge said their counsel had sufficiently explained why their clients were absent from court. The EFCC had filed the 42 counts against the accused persons in 2013. The former governor and others were accused of money laundering involving N19.2bn.
Others charged along with Sylva are Francis Okoburo, Gbenga S. Balogun, Samuel Ogbuku, Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited and Haloween Blue Construction and Logistics Limited.
Sylva and Balogun reluctantly entered the dock on Thursday, but Okoburo and Ogbuku were absent from court.
Defence lawyers, including Israel Olorundare (SAN), who represented Sylva opposed the prosecution’s application for bench warrant.
Justice Mohammed adjourned till October 8 for hearing of the pending applications by the accused persons.

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Niger Delta

Edo CP Vows Justice For Slain NSCDC Operatives

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The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Mr. Monday Agbonika, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice those behind the killing of eight NSCDC operatives in the State.
Agbonika gave the assurance on Tuesday during an on-the-spot assessment of the attack scene, which also involved the abduction of a Chinese national.
Describing the incident as “a dastardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Commissioner expressed condolences to the Edo State Command of the NSCDC.
He paid tribute to the fallen operatives, describing them as “gallant personnel who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.”
“We stand in solidarity with the NSCDC in this grief. Their sacrifice will not be in vain, and Edo people should expect justice”, Agbonika said.
In a separate meeting with Chinese community members at BUA Cement, Okpella, the police chief assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted expatriate alive.
“Our men are on the ground, and operations have been intensified. We are determined to rescue the kidnapped victim and prevent further incidents in the area”, he said.
Agbonika appealed for calm among residents, urging cooperation through timely and credible intelligence to aid ongoing security operations.
“Security is a collective responsibility. We call on residents to support us with information. Together, we will defeat criminals threatening Edo’s peace”, he added.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and properties, stressing that it would not relent until the attackers were arrested and justice delivered.
The Tide’s source reports that the Okpella attack occurred on Friday.
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Niger Delta

Police Nab Suspected Illicit Drugs Dealer In Delta

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The Police Command in Delta State has arrested a suspected female illicit drugs dealer in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s Spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Wednesday.
Edafe said the suspect was nabbed alongside her three apprentices on August 29 by the police operatives attached to the Ughelli Area Command.
He said the operatives carried out the raid following credible information on the activities of some individuals that indulged in the sale of illicit drugs within Afisere/Ughelli town.
“The operatives trailed and arrested a drug baron who operates a chemist store in Afisere Community alongside three of her apprentices.
“The suspect led the operatives to her house at Afisere and a search warrant was executed.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects included: 355 bottles of CSC codeine, 57 rolls of 50MG tramadol capsules, 335 rolls of 100mg tramadol capsules.
“Others were: 33 rolls of 200mg super royal, seven backwoods, 540 sachets of swinol capsules and 16 cups of Canadian liquid cannabis”, he said.
The police spokesman said investigation further revealed that the suspect was a major dealer in illicit drugs in Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe added that investigation in the matter was ongoing.
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C’River Assembly extends Bekwarra LG Chairman’s Suspension By 3 Months

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The Cross River State House of Assembly has extended the suspension of the Bekwarra Council Chairman, Ms. Theresa Ushie, to 90 days.
Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Elvert Ayambem, made the remark on Wednesday during plenary.
The Tide’s source recalls that Ushie was suspended on June 10 for three months on allegations of corruption, misconduct and abuse of power.
The suspension followed a petition from the Bekwarra Local Government Legislative Council, signed by eight of its members, who also attempted to impeach her.
Ayambem explained that the extension was to allow the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Conflict Resolution more time to investigate the petition written against the chairman by the Bekwarra Legislature.
The House had earlier deliberated on a motion calling for the extension of the office of the LGA Acting Chairman, Mr. Egbung Obama, before agreeing to extend Ushie’s suspension.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and member, representing Abi State Constituency, Mr. Davies Etta, said the committee needed more time to carry out a thorough investigation.
Ushie was elected as Bekwarra Local Government Council Chairman and sworn-in in November 2024.
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