Alleged N400 million fraud: IGP Egbetokun amends charge against Senator, one other
Alleged N400 million fraud: IGP Egbetokun amends charge against Senator, one other
The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has amended a two-count charge filed against Sen. Andy uba bordering on alleged fraud to the tune of N400 million.
I-G’s counsel, M.L. Anthony, told Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after the matter was called for Uba and others to take their plea.
Although Uba was not in court, Anthony informed the judge that an amended charge had been filed and the defendants were yet to be served.
He said the fresh charge was filed on Tuesday and he had been unable to serve the defendants.
He, therefore, sought an adjournment to enable him do the needful and C.F. Odiniru, who appeared for the 2nd defendant, Benjamin Etu, who was also in court, did not oppose the application.
Anthony sought the leave of court to serve Etu’s lawyer in the open court and it was granted.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until March 17 for arraignment of Uba and Etu who are now defendants in the fresh charge.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police had earlier named Uba, the former Senator representing Anambra South, and two others in the first charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/538/2024.
The co-defendants, in the two-count charge filed Oct. 10, 2024 by Abdulrashid Sidi in the Legal/Prosecution Section at the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, were Crystal Uba and Benjamin Etu as 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively.
But in the amended charge filed March 4 by Sidi, Uba and Etu are listed as 1st and 2nd defendants, while Crystal Uba’s name had been dropped form the charge.
In count one, Uba, Etu and Hajiya Fatima now at large, sometimes in 2022, were alleged to have conspired amongst themselves to commit the offence.
Uba and others were accused of obtaining by false pretence, by making a presentation to George Uboh that they had perfected ways for the appointment of the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to any interested persons who could afford N400 million.
“A presentation which you know is not true and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006.”
The offence, the prosecution said, is contrary to Section 1 (2) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006,” the count read in part.
Uboh, in a letter dated April 5, 2023, and addressed to the I-G, said the petition was based on documentary and voice recording.
According to Uboh, the evidence is overwhelming and irrefutable.
No fewer than six witnesses had been listed to testify against the ex-lawmaker and Etu.(NAN)
The retired DIGs had served the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years before retirement.
The newly decorated DIGs include DIG Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, previously Commandant of the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano; DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG of the Department of Information Communication Technology at Force Headquarters Abuja; DIG Williams Adebowale, formerly Commandant of the Police Staff College Jos; DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, former AIG of the FCID Annex Enugu; DIG Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, previously AIG of Zone 14, Katsina; and DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, former AIG, Zone 16 Yenagoa.
In addition to these DIG appointments, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, who previously served as the Commissioner of Police for the Enugu State Command, was also decorated as a newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
This was disclosed via a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Thursday, March 6.
The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force marked a significant moment in its history with the formal decoration of six newly appointed Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and one Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., today March 6th 2025. This event follows the recent retirement of six veteran DIGs in March 3rd, 2025, who honorably served the force for 35 years.
“The newly appointed DIGs bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various commands and departments within the NPF. These iconic individuals include DIG Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, previously Commandant of the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano; DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG of the Department of Information Communication Technology at Force Headquarters Abuja; DIG Williams Adebowale, formerly Commandant of the Police Staff College Jos; DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, former AIG of the FCID Annex Enugu; DIG Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, previously AIG of Zone 14, Katsina; and DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, former AIG, Zone 16 Yenagoa.
“In addition to these DIG appointments, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu, who previously served as the Commissioner of Police for the Enugu State Command, was also decorated as the newly promoted Assistant Inspector-General of Police. During the ceremony, the IGP extended his heartfelt congratulations to the newly decorated officers and emphasized the importance of upholding the values of integrity, professionalism, and service that define the Nigeria Police Force.
“The IGP further charged the officers with inspiring confidence both within the ranks of the Force and among the citizens they are sworn to protect and expressed strong belief in their ability to excel in their new leadership roles and contribute to the continued progress and effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.”
News
JUST IN; IG of Police approves appointment of DCP as new Force PSO
JUST IN; IG of Police approves appointment of DCP as new Force PSO
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of a new Principal Staff Officer (PSO).
He is Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP) Ahmed Lateef.
IGP said DCP Lateef brings to the position a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in various capacities within the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Prior to his current posting, DCP Ahmed served as the Police Operations and FPU Coordinator for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
“He was the Personal Assistant to the former IGP, IGP MD Abubakar, and also a Zonal Head of Operations and lead cybercrime investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), having attended various courses both at home and abroad.
“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police, following the approval of the Police Service Commission, has deployed CP Johnson Adenola as the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, having served diligently as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the IGP, contributing significantly to the smooth running of the IGP’s office and the overall administration of the Force.
“CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa has also been deployed as the new CP Enugu State, following the promotion of AIG Uzuegbu Kanayo. CP Mamman once served as the AC PMF FHQ, DC PMF FHQ, and DC Ops Kaduna State Command.
“These strategic deployments are aimed at strengthening the leadership capacity of the Force and ensuring effective policing across the country.
“The IGP has however charged the newly appointed officers to bring forth their wealth of experience in maintaining the core values and ethics of the force in their respective offices, which anchors on decency, transparency, and accountability”
News
BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud
BREAKING: EFCC quizzes former Tinubu’s Minister over alleged N138m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has quizzed a former Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye for her alleged roles in the misappropriation of N138million.
The ex-Minister was one of those dropped recently by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
She was alleged to have violated procurement process and diverted public funds of about N138million in the course of disbursing the 2023 budgeted funds for the Ministry.
She arrived in the anti-graft commission headquarters around 11:00 am and was still facing interrogators on her alleged involvement in the fraud as at press time.
Investigations by the EFCC showed that funds donated for the funding of P- Bat Cares for Women Initiative were diverted.
EFCC detectives were considering other clues as part of the ongoing investigation.