Court orders forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated during El-Rufai’s tenure as Governor
Court orders forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated during El-Rufai’s tenure as Governor
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.37 billion that was purportedly embezzled from the Kaduna State government’s funds between May 2015 and May 2023, while former Governor Nasir El-Rufai was in office.
The money was allegedly taken from the budget for a failed light rail project under the previous administration and transferred into a private account owned by Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited..
Justice H. Buhari, who presided over the case, granted the forfeiture order on February 28, 2025, following an ex parte application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had traced the diverted funds to a private bank account, prompting the legal action.
The court also directed the ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, calling for any individuals or entities with an interest in the funds to come forward and show cause why the amount should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In its application, filed by ICPC lawyer E.O. Akponimisingha, the anti-graft agency highlighted that the light rail project, which was meant to improve transportation in the state, was never executed during the El-Rufai administration, depriving the people of Kaduna State of its intended benefits.
The funds were reportedly diverted through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig Limited, a joint venture formed in 2016 between the state government and Indian investors, meant to oversee the rail project.
The case has been adjourned until April 8, 2025, when any interested parties wishing to claim the funds will have the opportunity to present their case before the court.
The sector Commander, Mrs Joyce Alexander confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday, in Awka, attributing the accident to speeding and loss of control, which led to a head-on collision.
Alexander said the crash involved a brown Mercedes trailer without a registration number, a white commercial bus registered as XED526XA, and four Bajaj tricycles that also lacked registration numbers.
She said that eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the brown mercedes trailer, carrying an unsecured container, was descending a hill at high speed when he lost control and collided with five vehicles parked by the roadside.
“A total of six individuals were involved in the crash—two adult males and four adult females. Four were confirmed dead, while two others sustained injuries.
“FRSC officials arrived at the scene to clear the wreckage and restore traffic flow. They transported the deceased to Crown Hospital and St. Edward Hospital in Obosi, while the injured victims were taken to Unity Hospital in Obosi,” she said.
While extending condolences to the families of the deceased, Alexander urged road users to adhere to traffic regulations to prevent accidents and ensure safe travel. She also advised motorists to avoid speeding and take precautions that could compromise their safety on the road.(NAN)
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Rivers Assembly issues 48-hour ultimatum for RSIEC chair to appear before it, threatens arrest
Rivers Assembly issues 48-hour ultimatum for RSIEC chair to appear before it, threatens arrest
The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli (retd), to appear before it regarding the conduct of the 2024 local government elections.
The resolution was made during a plenary session chaired by Speaker Martin Amaewhule on Wednesday.
The House warned that if Enebeli fails to comply with the summons, a warrant for his arrest will be issued.
In addition, the Assembly resolved to formally request Governor Siminalayi Fubara to submit the names of all his commissioners who were not screened by the Amaewhule-led Assembly.
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Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s s3xual harassment allegations against Akpabio
Senate erupts in chaos over Natasha’s sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio caused a stir in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday.
On the basis of Order 10 of the Senate Rules, Akpoti-Uduaghan moved to have her petition against Akpabio submitted to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and formally admitted.
This followed Akpabio’s strong denial of the accusations in his speech, in which he claimed to have never harassed a woman in his life.
The situation quickly escalated when Senator Mohammed Monguno, invoking Order 40, raised concerns that the Senate lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter, given that it was already in court.
Monguno argued that the matter had been legally filed, and under the Senate’s rules, any debate on it would be subjudice, potentially undermining the court’s authority. He insisted that the Senate should allow the judiciary to handle the case without interference from the legislative chamber.
This clash between legislative protocol and the ongoing court proceedings caused significant confusion and heated exchanges within the Senate.
“Mr Senate President, distinguished colleagues, you are aware that the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Unoma Ekaete Akpabio and her family have gone to court against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan after she appeared on Arise Television on Thursday last week.
“This means this hallowed chamber cannot debate on the same matter as the xlchamber has been stopped,” he added.
Senate Leader, Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, expressed his sympathy towards the Senate President for permitting the petition to be referred to the Committee.
He noted that the Senate’s ‘Rules and Order’ do not permit a senator to personally sign a petition against the Senate leadership.
“The Senate erred to have admitted the petition as it is only the constituents that could have signed and forwarded the petition.
“It appeared Akpabio didn’t want the matter to look as if he was disallowing somebody from expressing her rights and hence allowed the error to be committed.
“I move that the chamber go into closed door (session),” Opeyemi said.