News

JAMB: Court Convicts CBT Centre Owner Over Registration Infraction

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2024

A Grade One Area Court sitting at Aco Estate, Abuja, has convicted a CBT centre owner, Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, of registration infraction, concealment, breach of trust and theft.

Ezechinoso, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was accused of signing and collecting
a customised and sensitive registration material from the Anambra State office of JAMB to enable him kick-start and activate the process of UTME registration. Instead, he allegedly concealed it with intention to defraud the board.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, which revealed this in a statement on Sunday, expressed happiness over the court action, vowing that it would follow up the prosecution of the case of the reported violation of the data protection right of a 15-year-old candidate by an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos Court.

The board assured the parents of the 15 year old girl and other concerned Nigerians involved that justice would be served accordingly.

Explaining more on the conviction of Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, JAMB in the statement by its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, said, “When the case came up for hearing on Monday, 6th February, 2024, the accused, who operates a CBT centre in Onitsha, was charged with criminal breach of trust, concealment, registration infraction(cheating) and theft.

“The FIR reads in parts: cheating, intent to conceal theft contrary to Section 311, 391 and 286 of the Penal Code, “That on 26th January, 2024 You, Mr. Ezechinoso, male of No. 28 Omonun street, Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State, signed and collected a customised and sensitive registration material from the Anambra State Office of the Board to enable you kick-start and activate the process of UTME registration.

“But instead concealed it with intention to defraud the Board, to enable you acquire a second one to complete your fraudulent activities at the CBT centre.

“The FIR continued, “You alleged also that the material you collected was not functioning. You lied and denied that you are not in possession of any for registration during interview: “It was later strongly revealed that you actually concealed the material thereby committing the above offences,” the FIR stated.

“According to the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olisaemeka Okeke, who was holding brief for Mr. Stanley Nafoaku, the suspect had pleaded guilty to the charge.

“The defendant counsel, Barrister Pere Adge, however, pleaded that the accused was a Nigerian, who might have been prompted by the prevailing circumstances to commit the infractions without intent to cause damage or harm, and being a first-time offender, she pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

“The presiding judge, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko, however, found the suspect guilty and ordered that he should be remanded at Nasarawa correctional centre till Thursday, 8th February, 2024, when judgement would be delivered.

“However, the case could not be heard on the scheduled date on account of unforeseen circumstances and was postponed to the following day, Friday, 9th February, 2024.

“The following day, the presiding judge found Mr. Ezechinoso guilty on all four counts citing the criminal breach of trust, which attracted nine-month imprisonment or 30 thousand naira fine and attempt to commit the offence of cheating, which attracts a six-month imprisonment or a fine of twenty thousand naira.

“Ezechinoso was also found guilty of intent to conceal, which attracted three-month imprisonment term or the payment of a fine of ten thousand naira while the fourth count charge, which was theft, attracted eight months or an option of thirty thousand naira fine.”

The statement added, “In its reaction, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) welcomed the judgement and warned would-be infractors to desist from their nefarious agenda or face the full wrath of the law.

“The Board also warned of the array of technological devices at its disposal and which had enabled real-time detection of infractions.

“It, therefore, warned that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick on any person or groups, no matter how highly-placed, who might wish to undermine the Board.

“The Board reassured the public that it would not leave any stone unturned to protect its systems and clients against any forms of violation.”

In another development, JAMB restated its zero tolerance for infractions of the nation’s statutes. It stressed that, as a regulatory agency, it does not condone any form of unwholesome practice capable of bringing its hard-earned integrity to disrepute.

To this end, it vowed to “follow up the prosecution of the case of the reported violation of the data protection right of a 15-year-old candidate by an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos Court and assured the parents of the 15 year old girl and other concerned Nigerians involved that justice would be served accordingly. “

News

Court Bars CCETC From Entering Ossiomo Land, Using Its Property

Published

1 hour ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

An Edo State High Court in Benin has restrained Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) from entering the land of Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited pending the hearing and determination of motion of notice.

Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli—vacation judge, gave the restraining order in an ex-perte motion filed before the Honourable Court by Emmanuel Usoh, counsel to Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited.

In the suit marked: B/242/2025, Ossiomo Investment Limited, Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, Ossiomo Offsites and Utility Limited, Quadrant Gas Development Company Limited are the claimants while Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC) stands as defendant.

Usoh had, on behalf of Ossiomo Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited, approached the court, sought an interim injunction restraining CCETC from gaining access to the land or utilising any property belonging to the claimant.

Usoh sought an interim order restraining “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described from parading itself as a member or a shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying o using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the hearing and determination o the Motion on Notice.”

In the enrollment of order dated September 11, 2025, Justice Itsueli, said having “given a most careful consideration to the application, supporting affidavit and annexures, I am minded to grant the interim order of injunction.”

The vacation judge, therefore, ordered that, “The Defendant whether by itself, privies, assigns and anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from accessing, utilizing the infrastructure of the Claimants including the 33KVA lines, gas engines and gas infrastructure built by the Claimants to supply gas to the power plant and generate electricity supply whether by bulk sales or transmission to corporate entities or individuals in Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

Hon. Itsueli also ordered “the Defendant whether by itself, agents, representatives, Directors, staff, privies, assigns, or anyone directly or otherwise and howsoever described are restrained from parading themselves member or shareholder of the 2nd Claimant or relying or using the Joint Venture Agreement pending the pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice already filed.”

Recall that Ossiomo Power and Infrastructure Company
Limited and CCETC have been in ownership tussle which led to the power plant being shut down on September 1, 2025.

Speaking during a press briefing on the latest in the power tussle between Ossiomo and its investment partners, Usoh said, CCETC, having aware of the restraining order, had so far approached the arbitrary panel in Singapore.

He said: “CCETC, being aware of the restraining order, also immediately approached the arbitrary panel for arbitration in Singapore. The rationale behind this update is for the whole world to know that Singapore, being the seat of economics arbitration globally, is aware of the issues happening between Ossiomo and CCETC. We had the opportunity of seeing the copy of the arbitration, and we are replying accordingly.”

On Ossiomo and Edo State Government, Usoh disclosed: “Our relationship with the Edo State Government is what we call Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Ossiomo develops power and sells to Edo State Government at market value. They are our landlord, we cannot owe grudge against the government. My appeal to the government is to do business with us so that everyone in Edo will benefit.”

News

IPF Celebrates Otuaro On His Birthday Anniversary

Published

8 hours ago

September 23, 2025

Editor

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has felicitated with Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, on the occasion of his birthday.

A statement issued by the secretary of the body, Tare Magbei, commended Otuaro for his “steady leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,” which according to the forum has “continued to strengthen peace, rehabilitation, and development in the Niger Delta.”

“Your efforts in providing opportunities for ex-agitators and in advancing stability across the region stand as clear evidence of your dedication to the people and progress of our land.

“As you mark this new year of life, we join your family, friends, and well-wishers in praying for good health, wisdom, and greater success in the service of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.”

News

JUST IN: Okpehbolo Appoints New VC For AAU

Published

20 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Edo State governor, Monday Okpehbolo, has approved the appointment of Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie as the new Vice-Chancellor of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

A statement issued late night by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, said her appointment takes immediate effect.

According to the statement, Prof. Omonzejie was appointed amongst the three names submitted by the Governing Council of the university to the state government.

The statement partly reads, “Professor (Mrs.) Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie
Professor Omonzejie is a distinguished scholar of French and Francophone African Literatures and a long-serving academic in the Department of Modern Languages at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

“She is a prolific researcher and editor, with contributions to African and Francophone literary studies, gender studies, and cultural studies.

“She has served as the President of the Ambrose Alli University Chapter of the National Association of Women Academics (NAWACS), where she has championed mentoring, research, and advocacy for female academics and students.

“Professor Omonzejie has co-edited several seminal works including French Language in Nigeria: Essays in Honour of UFTAN Pacesetters and Language Matters in Contemporary West Africa, and is the author of Women Novelists in Francophone Black Africa: Views, Reviews and Interviews,” the statement added.