IPPIS accountants plead guilty to diverting salaries of former workers
IPPIS accountants plead guilty to diverting salaries of former workers
A Federal High Court Lagos, on Wednesday, fixed Sept. 18, for review of facts in a charge against two staffers of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), over alleged corruption.
The defendants, Shola Onasanya, a Chief Accountant and Halimat Olalere, a Principal Executive Officer of accounts are both staffers of the IPPIS Payroll Desk Office at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Ebute Meta, Lagos.
They were dragged before Justice Ibrahim Kala, by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), on an amended two-count charge bordering on diverting salaries of workers who had exited the FMC.
When the case was called on Wednesday, the prosecutor, Mr Enosa Omoghibo, an Assistant Director of the ICPC, informed the court of a plea bargain agreement by the defendants.
He told the court that following the plea bargain agreement filed on Sept. 4, the prosecution had consequently, filed an amended charge and applied that same be read to the defendants.
The court, however, informed the prosecutor, that the permission of the court ought to be first sought before the amended charge was introduced.
Taking hints from the court, Omoghibo then sought leave of court for the initial charge to be substituted with the amended charge and that the amended charge be read to the defendants.
There was no objection from defence counsel.
The defendants, respectively, pleaded guilty to the charge.
Following their guilty pleas, the prosecutor, moved an application citing the provisions of section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, for the agreement to be entered.
He prayed the court that the terms of the plea bargain agreement which was supported by a statement of facts and verifying affidavit, be entered as judgement in the case.
Again, Justice Kala drew the attention of prosecuting counsel, to the provisions of section 274 of the ACJA, adding that the court cannot safely proceed to convict the defendants, without an iota of evidence adduced before the court.
The court further hinted that though the defendants had pleaded guilty, their guilty pleas alone without evidence from the prosecution, cannot safely secure a conviction.
Kala held that the prosecution still had the burden of proof to discharge, adding that the guilty pleas by the defendants had only lightened this burden.
Consequently, the defence counsel applied for an adjournment to enable him to the needful and the court adjourned the case until Sept. 18, for a review of facts.
According to the charge, the defendants were alleged to have committed the offence between January and December 2023 at the FMC in Ebute Meta, Lagos.
They were said to have converted the proceed to their personal use, the total sum of N1.17 million, by failing to take necessary steps as payroll desk officers, to stop the salaries of some staffers who had exited the service.
The prosecution told the court that the defendants had substituted the account of Olalere (second defendant), into which the salaries of the former staffers were continuously paid.
The first defendant (Onasanya) was said to have directed Olalere, to transfer the said salaries of the former workers received, into his own account.
According to the prosecutor, the second defendant aided the first defendant to convert to his personal use, the total sum of N1.17 million being proceeds of corruption.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2022.(NAN)
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Eight persons killed, others injured in another fatal road accident
Eight persons killed, others injured in another fatal road accident
Eight persons died while three others were injured in a road traffic crash along the Potiskum–Dogon Kuka carriageway in Yobe.
The Yobe Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Andrew Longkam, confirmed the incident on Thursday.
He said the crash occurred around Gaggaba on the Potiskum–Dogon Kuka axis at about 12:40 hours.
“Preliminary reports from Dogon Kuka Unit Command show the incident was promptly reported to the corps,” Longkam said.
FRSC operatives arrived within five minutes, enabling swift rescue, evacuation of victims, traffic control, road clearance and prevention of secondary crashes.
The crash involved a white Howo trailer, registration DAL 963YY, and a white Mitsubishi Canter, registration NNR 437XA.
“Twelve adult males were involved, with eight fatalities and four rescued, including three injured and one unhurt,” he said.
The injured and deceased were taken to Government General Hospital, Dogon Kuka, where the injured received prompt medical attention.
Longkam said the FRSC tow truck cleared the obstruction, restored traffic flow and notified the Police Motor Traffic Division in Dogon Kuka.
“Preliminary findings indicate the Mitsubishi Canter, suspected to excessive speeding, committed a route violation and crashed into the trailer,” he said.
He said excessive speed and route violation were suspected causes, adding that investigations were ongoing to determine the exact circumstances.
The sector commander urged motorists to avoid speeding, route violations and unsafe practices, assuring continued enforcement, emergency response and public education across the state. (NAN)
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Reaction as Atiku’s Son defects to APC, backs President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027
Reaction as Atiku’s Son defects to APC, backs President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027
Former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has addressed his son Abba Abubakar’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a personal choice.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Atiku said, “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal. In a democracy, such choices are neither unusual nor alarming, even when family and politics intersect.”
He added, “As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians.”
The former vice president also highlighted his concerns about the ruling party, saying, “What truly concerns me is the poor governance of the APC and the severe economic and social hardships it has imposed on our people.”
“ I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress.”
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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