Metro
Okupe Beats 4:30pm Deadline, Pays N13m Conviction Fine
Published
1 year agoon
By
EditorMr Doyin Okupe, former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday evening, paid N13 million for the 52-year jail term bagged for N240 million money laundering offence.
Recall that Justuce Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a judgment, had found Okupe guilty in 26 out of the 59 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
READ ALSO: [UPDATED] JUST IN: Okupe Jailed Two And Half Years For Money Laundering
Justice Ojukwu had ordered that the 26 counts, which attracted 2-year jail-term each, would run concurrently, meaning, the convict would only spend two years in prison.
The judge, however, gave an option of N500,000 in each of the counts, amounting to N13 million, which must be paid before 4:30pm (the close of work) today.
She ordered that if Okupe failed to meet the option of fine within the time frame, he should be taken to Kuje Correctional Centre to serve his prison term.
However, a check at the court at about 6pm showed that Okupe, who is the Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, had paid the money.
The wife and son of Okupe had pleaded for leniency after he was convicted.
Mrs Omolola and Mr Adesunkanmi Okupe, while testifying to the convict’s good character, begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Omolola decsribed her husband as a good man.
“I got married to him on the 1st of May, 1991.
“My husband is a very good person. He had been a role model to myself and children with sound Christian values.
“I have never found him in any allegation of this before. I will like to appeal to the court for leniency.
“My husband has dedicated his life to serve the nation and he is not here today because he is found guilty of the offence, but because of his mistake.
“I ask the court to consider his health and age which is 70 years. He has run his family effectively my lord,” she said.
Also, Adesunkanmi said: “I have known him for 31 years.
“He is a man of honesty and integrity with great character..
“I have a privilege of being mentored by him throughout my life time.
“He had imparted in me high value of perseverance and hard work that greatness comes by following God, unbending faith and diligence.
“This among many other is what I have learnt about Okupe.”
He appealed to the court to be lenient
Besides, former Governor of old Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and former National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Idi Farouk, had also urged the court to temper justice with mercy in Okupe’s sentencing.
The judge had, earlier, stood down proceedings for Okupe to exercise his right under Section 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to call witnesses to testify about his character, before the court could proceed to pronounce sentence on the convict.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Convicts Okupe Of Breaching Money Laundering Act
NAN reports that the court, presided over by Justice Ojukwu, had convicted Okupe for breaching the Money Laundering Act.
The judge held that Okupe was found guilty of contravening Sections 16(1)&(2) of the Money Laundering Act, for accepting cash payments without going through financial institution, in excess of the threshold allowed under the Act.
Okupe was said to have received N240 million in cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retired).
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Metro
JUST IN: Terrorists Kill Vigilantes, Abduct Two Village Heads, Others In Kaduna
Published
7 hours agoon
May 3, 2024By
EditorSome terrorists have reportedly killed eight vigilante members and two other persons in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The village heads of Kakangi and Kisaya villages under Kakangi Ward were also abducted.
A resident of the LG identified as Idris Khalid, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said the gun-wielding men invaded the villages at about early Thursday.
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The eight vigilante members who were killed in Kakangi were Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.
Khalid added that the two victims in the Ungwan Matinja community under Gayam Ward were identified as Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.
He said the vigilantes were attacked while trailing the kidnapped victims who were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.
“The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others.
READ ALSO: Woman Kills One Year-old Son In Delta
“Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.
“It’s unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were lost,” the resident said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, said, “We are investigating the matter to unravel the true story because the area where the incident happened had a network problem.”
Metro
Court Remands Tenant For Setting Landlord’s House On Fire In Ibadan
Published
21 hours agoon
May 2, 2024By
EditorAn Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered that a 35-year-old man, Dickson Peter, be remanded in a correction facility for allegedly setting his landlord’s house on fire.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the police charged the defendant with two counts of felony and arson.
The Magistrate, Mr M. Mudashiru, who did not take his plea due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered that he be remanded in the Abolongo Correctional Facility, Oyo Town.
Mudashiru said the remand is pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
He adjourned the matter until July 23, 2024, for reference.
READ ALSO: Tragedy As Man Shot Dead During Fuel Queue Tumult In Lagos
Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Femi Oluwadare told the court that Peter, on April 18, at about 12:30 am, was alleged to have unlawfully set fire to the house of his landlord, Cepas Okeme, and destroyed properties worth N6.5 million.
Oluwadare said that after he set the building on fire, it also spread to the next house property belonging to Bose Ali ‘F’ and destroyed property worth N3.5 million.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 443 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
Metro
Officer Who Shot Man Dead During Fuel Queue Tumult Identified — Lagos Police
Published
22 hours agoon
May 2, 2024By
EditorThe Lagos State Police Command said it has identified the police officer who shot a young man, Toheeb Eniafe, at a petrol station on Wednesday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this on Thursday.
He said, “The person behind the shooting has been identified as a police officer serving at Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 17, Lion Building, Lagos.
“Investigation is still ongoing and further findings will be made available.
“Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command is working with the family of the deceased to ensure that there is no miscarriage of justice.”
Recall that Eniafe was shot on Wednesday at a petrol station belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited at Obalende in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
Eniafe was reported to have been shot dead while he and some others were resisting the move by some security agents to buy fuel without joining the queue.
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