Niger Delta
Ex-NDDC MDs’ Aide Demands Apology From EFCC Over Publication
Former Special Assistant on Youths Matters to two ex-Managing Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Alabh George Turnah, has described a recent syndicated publication against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as defaming and malicious.
Turnah, now an Executive Assistant to the Bayelsa State Governor on Public Affairs and Social Orientation, has as a result demanded for an unreserved public apology from the nation’s anti-graft agency, noting that the EFCC’s publications were mischievous and malicious falsehood against his person.
The Tide gathered that the EFCC had recently syndicated a statement alleging that Turnah, alongside two others, were sentenced to six years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital over financial improprieties.
Following the alleged falsehood being peddled by the anti-graft agency, accordingly Turnah in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa at the weekend, he described the said publication as maligning, noting also that the EFCC has defamed his character through various media.
He alleged that the act was orchestrated by the Head, Media & Publicity of the anti-graft agency, Mr Wilson Uwajaren, with the intention to disparage and put to public ridicule, his “hard earned public image”.
In further reaction to the said publication by the EFCC, Turnah has through his lawyers, Amuda-Kannike (SAN) and Co, Barristers, Solicitors and Corporate Consultants written to the anti-graft agency.
A letter to the EFCC by Turnah’s lawyers titled: “Protest Letter and Demand For Apology”, addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Abdulkarim Chukkol, made available to newsmen reads in parts:
“This unprofessional conduct of the EFCC spokesman is a sad event that should not happen under the watch, and even more importantly, under the administration of President (Bola) Tinubu, who is adjudged to be a complete democrat, and a product of the rule of law.
“Our clients are deeply concerned and saddened that the press release dated 11th September, 2023 with the caption, ‘N2.9 Billion Fraud: George Turnah, Two Others, Bag Six Years Jail Terms’, issued by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, is littered with deliberate falsehood and outright misrepresentation of facts in a manner that criminal defamation can be rightly inferred.
“Truly, judgement was delivered in the case by the Hon. Justice A.T Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on Thursday, 7th September, 2023.
“Contrary to the false claim contained in the EFCC’s press release that our clients were convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretence, money laundering, conversion of funds and forgery, the true fact is that our clients were discharged and acquitted of all the 23 count charge of Obtaining by false pretence, Money laundering and forgery/uttering contained in the charge.
“It is important to note that the 23 count charge as preferred by the EFCC against our clients do not contain any offence/charge of conversion of funds as falsely contained in the EFCC’s press release.
“Contrary to the false claim contained in the EFCC’s press release that our clients were jailed on Thursday, September 7th, 2023, having been found guilty of charges preferred against them by the Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the true fact and position is that indeed, the Court held that the EFCC failed to prove any of the 23 count charge preferred against the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd defendants, our clients”.
According to his legal team, the EFCC maligning statement has further exposed the fact that they were seeking to deliberately suppress parts of the judgement which ordered them to immediately release George Turnah’s assets and finances, as well as account for all monies recovered during the course of their investigation which the EFCC is yet to obey.
“The Court in the said Judgement ordered the immediate release of assets, properties and finances of our client (George Turnah) by reason of the failure of the EFCC to prove any of the 23 count charge preffered against him (George Turnah) in the said charge.
“This order, the EFCC is yet to obey, rather, the EFCC has already appealed the judgement as delivered, together with an application for stay of execution of the judgement.
“The Court in the judgement also ordered the EFCC to immediately account for all monies recovered from persons and individuals during the investigation activities of the case leading to the filing of the charge, and return all such monies to the Court. This order, the EFCC is also yet to comply and we are surprised why the EFCC’s press release did not capture these details.
“In the totality of the above, our clients are concerned that the EFCC, which is supposed to be a crime fighting organization could be so desperate to win cases at all cost, including intimidating and pressuring judges to help it secure unmerited convictions, and in the failure of which, turns around to dish out outright falsehood to the unsuspecting and vulnerable public all in a bid to destroy hard-earned public image of innocent Nigerians.
“This is too bad, and it is our clients expectation that the EFCC should now operate within the ambit of the rule of law and decently so, under your able leadership, Mr. Chairman, Sir”.
Demanding an investigation into the purported falsehood as contained in the EFCC’s press release, the legal team has earlier urged the EFCC Acting Chairman to in good conscience direct the Head of Media & Publicity to offer public apology to Turnah, and others and state the correct facts as well as true position of things within the first 72 hours from the day and date the letter was received at their office.
The letter further reads: “We like to put on record that the EFCC by the judgement delivered by the Hon. Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on Thursday, 7th of September, 2023, failed woefully to prove even one of the entire 23 count charge preferred against our clients (George Turnah, Ebis Orubebe and Silas Uzogor Chidiebere).
“This is the true fact as contained in the judgement. Any other brief you receive contrary to this, is FAKE and FALSE.
“No wonder the EFCC’s press release could not specifically point out or highlight the specific counts our clients were allegedly convicted and sentenced out of the 23 counts brought by the EFCC. This in our view, should worry the Commission more, than spreading falsehood after failing to prove a single charge out of 23 alleged offences.
“it should be noted that our clients were never convicted nor sentenced by any court for offences of Obtaining money under false pretence, money laundering, forgery or uttering of forged documents preferred against them by the EFCC and as falsely contained in the said EFCC’s press release.
“These offences as created under the relevant statutes, carry a minimum of seven (7) years imprisonment and a maximum of fourteen (14) years imprisonment as punishment without any option of fine.
“In fact, for forgery and uttering, the punishment is 21 years imprisonment. These obvious provisions of the law certainly rubbishes the entire false narrative dished out in the public space by the EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity, whom we expect, should know better”.
Turnah’s lawyers also expressed hope that the EFCC Chairman will use his good office and track record to correct the injustice done ti Turnah by the EFCC, by setting the records straight.
It would be recalled that penultimate week, the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had ordered the immediate release of George Turnah’s assets, and finances, ruling that the EFCC failed to prove any of the 23 count charge against him.
Similarly, many associates of the erstwhile aide to the two former MDs’ of the interventionist agency have condemned the press release by the EFCC, filing an appeal of the judgement which went in favour of the Turnah.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
Niger Delta
COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief
The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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