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Stop EFCC From Selling My Seized Assets, Diezani Begs Court

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Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, begging it to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from selling off all the properties seized from her.

The erstwhile minister in the legal action she filed through a team of lawyers, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, equally prayed the court for an order directing the anti-graft agency to retrieve from persons (natural or corporate), to whom it had sold off any of the properties.

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She told the court that the EFCC had, pursuant to a notice it issued in 2023, and acting in breach of her fundamental right to fair hearing, commenced a public sale by auction, assets linked to her.

According to the ex-petroleum minister, the anti-graft agency based its decision to sell off the properties on final forfeiture orders it obtained from various courts in the country.

She told the court that despite EFCC’s claim that final order of forfeiture was granted against her seized properties, she was neither served with any charge and proof of evidence in respect of any criminal proceeding, nor summons relating to any matter pending before any court.

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The Applicant accused the anti-graft agency of obtaining forfeiture orders against her through misrepresentations and concealment of facts.

“In many cases, the final forfeiture orders were made against properties which affected the Applicant’s interest, the courts were misled into making the final order of forfeiture against the Applicant, based on suppression or non-disclosure of material facts.

READ ALSO: SEC Suspends Firm, To Publish Names Of Erring Operators In “Name And Shame” Journal

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“The several applications upon which the courts made the final order of forfeiture against the Applicant were obtained upon gross misstatements, misrepresentations, non-disclosure, concealment and suppression of material facts and thus court has the power to set aside same ex-debito justitiae, as a void order is as good as if it was never made at all,” she said.

The embattled former minister argued that the said forfeiture orders were made against her by courts that lacked the requisite jurisdiction, saying they were made without recourse to her constitutional right to fair hearing.

Insisting she was never served with relevant court processes in all the proceedings that led to the orders for final forfeiture of her assets, the Applicant said the EFCC was aware that she was not within the shores of Nigeria at all material times as she left to seek medical treatment since 2015.

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“The Applicant did not have any access to newspapers circulating within Nigeria during this period as she was not in Nigeria at all material times relevant to this suit,” her counsel said.

She told the court that though EFCC alleged that the seized properties constituted proceeds of alleged unlawful activities, “till date, the Applicant has not been convicted of any unlawful activities to warrant the forfeiture of her properties and assets.

“The courts, in granting the final order of forfeiture in a matter that is said to flow from criminal activities and which are criminal in nature, and without any conviction of the Applicant, granted the order of final forfeiture on minimum proof based on the civil standards of preponderance of evidence or balance of probability, instead of the strict proof applicable in criminal trials or civil proceedings where there is allegation of crime.

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“Only a court of law can declare an act as constituting unlawful activities and there was no such order that had declared the alleged conduct of the Applicant to be unlawful.

“A mere allegation by the Respondent (EFCC) that the act or action of the Applicant constituted unlawful activities will not suffice in the circumstance.’’

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The Applicant told the court that she had three suits against the EFCC pending before courts in Lagos, contending that “since the forfeiture orders are being challenged, no sale can validly take place as such would be rendered nugatory.”

Meanwhile, the EFCC, in response to the suit, filed a counter-affidavit to challenge its competence.
In the affidavit deposed to by one of its detectives, Oyakhilome Ekienabor, the anti-graft agency told the court that following extensive investigations into activities of the Applicant while she was a public servant, criminal proceedings were initiated against her in various courts.

It told the court that examples of such cases included a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/208/2018, which was filed on November 2018, as well as another charge marked: HC/ADYL/56c/2017, filed on July 1, 2017, before a High Court in Adamawa State.

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EFCC maintained that sale of properties that previously belonged to the former minister was conducted in execution of final forfeiture orders of Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High on July 9, 2019, as well as another order by Justice I. N. Oweibo on September 10, 2019.

 

The commission told the court that before the assets were deemed to have been forfeited, it made newspaper publications inviting any person interested in the properties to show cause.”

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“The final forfeiture orders pursuant to which the sale of the properties was conducted, are still in force and have not been set aside. The forfeited properties were disposed of in accordance with the due process of law,” EFCC added.

At the resumed proceeding in the matter yesterday, Mr. Godwin Iyibor, who appeared for the Applicant, requested for time to file his response to EFCC’s counter-affidavit which, he said, was served on him on March 14.

On his part, Mr. Divine Okoro, who represented the EFCC, told the court that the commission encountered some difficulties that made it impossible for it to file the process within the 14 days allotted to it.
Consequently, Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the matter to March 27 for definite hearing.

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The trial judge noted that the case had been pending since 2023, even as he warned that the court would no longer entertain any excuses from the parties.

It will be recalled that the former minister had earlier filed a N100billion defamation suit against the EFCC which, she alleged, had authored and sponsored several publications that portrayed her as a treasury looter.

In the suit marked: CV/6273/2023, she insisted that the said defamatory publications brought her into “public ridicule, odium, contempt, derision and obloquy.”

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Chelsea Keeper Petrovic Joins Bournemouth

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Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic joined Bournemouth in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($33 million) on Wednesday.

Petrovic agreed a contract that will keep him at the Vitality Stadium until June 2030.

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The 25-year-old had been at Chelsea since joining from MLS side New England Revolution in 2023.

READ ALSO:Chelsea Thrash PSG 3-0 To Win FIFA Club World Cup

Petrovic, who spent last season on loan at French team Strasbourg, made 31 appearances for the west London club.

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I’m really happy to be here. I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level,” the Serbia international said.

Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it. I want to help the team get the results, improve every day and be a better player.”

READ ALSO:Full List: UEFA Fine Chelsea, Barcelona, Three Others For Breaking Financial Rules

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Bournemouth had Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea last season.

The Spain keeper has since joined Arsenal on a permanent basis, while Cherries back-up Mark Travers signed for Everton on Tuesday.

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Lagos To Reinstate Psychiatric Tests For Traffic Offenders

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to reinstate psychiatric assessments for traffic offenders within the state.

Mr. Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, disclosed this during the official presentation of the communiqué from the second Lagos Traffic Conference, held on Wednesday.

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The conference also marked the 25th anniversary of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Giwa said the decision followed strategic discussions and key recommendations aimed at enhancing traffic management and road safety across Lagos.

He noted the recommendations were designed to improve LASTMA’s effectiveness, mandate, and moral standing.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO: Lagos Bus Driver Sets Vehicle, LASTMA Officer Ablaze

For the mental health assessment of offenders, the agency should reintroduce psychiatric evaluation for those caught driving against traffic,” Giwa said.

He explained the measure aligns with previous road safety strategies to instill discipline and deter errant road users.

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Giwa also stated that LASTMA officers would undergo international training to meet global traffic management standards.

Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA General Manager, spoke about a 20-year blueprint for a technology-driven traffic system in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki confirmed the agency was progressing well in its vision for improved traffic regulation.

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READ ALSO:LASTMA Unveils 24-hour Toll-free Customer Service Centre

He said the agency began compiling detailed traffic incident data last year, including crashes and other road events across Lagos.

“This deliberate approach gives us a credible database that allows the government to plan better and make informed decisions,” he said.

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The blueprint also includes a focus on improving LASTMA officers’ welfare to enhance performance and service delivery.

He highlighted Lagos State’s increased use of Information Technology Systems (ITS), as seen around Allen Roundabout and other areas.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: LASTMA Rescues Two Accident Victims In Lagos, Blames Brake Failure

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“The ITS tools monitor, control, and enforce traffic behaviour in real time,” he said.

He said surveillance cameras had been installed on the Third Mainland Bridge and around Alapere to promote speed control and road safety.

Bakare-Oki added that the camera installations followed incidents of road rage after rehabilitation of the bridge.

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Since deploying the cameras, road crashes on that stretch have declined,” he said.

READ ALSO:Fake LASTMA Officer Jailed Two Years

He stressed the initiative was not for revenue generation but to safeguard lives and property and assured that residents would soon witness major improvements in LASTMA’s operations.

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Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, also congratulated LASTMA on its 25th anniversary.

Represented by Mr. Nonso Okechukwu, he described LASTMA as a beacon of traffic management excellence in Nigeria.

He urged LASTMA to lead engagements with private transport operators in line with state traffic policies.

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Gbeleyi noted that Lagos’ vision of a smarter, safer city could be achieved through strategic partnerships.

He affirmed the Bureau’s readiness to provide policy support, PPP advisory, and institutional guidance.
(NAN)

 

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NIS Inaugurates Digital Expatriate Residence Permit Platform

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) will inaugurate a new digital platform for the application of the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) on August 1.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), Mr Akinsola Akinlabi, on Wednesday in Abuja.

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Akinlabi said that the development was in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the NIS and enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of its services.

He said that the new portal, accessible at https://cerpac.immigration.gov.ng, was designed to enable applicants submit their CERPAC applications online without the need for physical forms.

READ ALSO: UK Immigration Crackdown Jolts Nigerian Youths

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According to him, effective from August 1, the use of physical CERPAC forms will be discontinued.

All CERPAC applications after July 31 must be submitted solely through the online portal, ‘’ he said.

The NIS spokesman noted that the digital transition was aimed at improving the user experience and ensuring a seamless application process for both individuals and corporate organisations taking immigration responsibility for expatriates.

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Akinlabi advised applicants who have paid but have yet to submit their CERPAC forms to do so on or before July 31, to avoid losing their application status and associated payments.

READ ALSO:Nigeria To Roll Out Electronic Visas To Curtail Corruption In Immigration Service

Similarly, individuals and companies with pending submissions are strongly encouraged to complete all processes within the stipulated timeline to avoid any inconvenience.

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“Any form not submitted before the deadline will be rendered void and invalid.

“All enquiries and correspondence related to this transition should be directed to the service through the office of the Public Relations Officer,” he said.

He, however, reaffirmed the service commitment to delivering more efficient and technology-driven immigration services in line with global best practices.

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