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Trial Of Ex-President Jonathan’s Aide, In Alleged N3bn Fraud Stalled By Acute Diabetes Ailment

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The trial of former Director of Finance in the defunct President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Organization, Dr Ngozi Olejeme, in an alleged N3bn fraud was on Monday in Abuja stalled due to an acute diabetes ailment suffered by the defendant.

Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) shifted the trial to December 6 following a passionate plea by her counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro SAN to that effect.

When the trial was to commence, Erokoro told the Judge that doctors to Mrs Olejeme have called her to report immediately to the hospital as she has fainting spells.

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The senior lawyer recalled that the defendant has been diabetic and hypertensive for 30 years and has had four major surgeries in the United States of America and South Africa.

He further hinted to the court that she recently suffered heart failure and COVID-19 and is still in the recovery process.

Moved by the plight of the defendant and due to no objection to request for adjournment, Justice Aliyu fixed December 6 for resumption of the trial.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had on October 21 arraigned Mrs Olejeme on a nine-count charge, in which she was accused of abusing her office, receiving a bribe, awarding contracts without due process, among others.

READ ALSO: 2023: Group Advises Politicians Above 60 Not To Contest Election

Mrs Olejeme who was a former Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) was on October 22 admitted bailing by the Judge after spending 24 hours in the custody of the EFCC on the order of the court.

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Justice Aliyu adopted the conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted Olejeme by the prosecuting agency, EFCC in 2017 to admit her to bail.

The conditions are that the defendant produces two Deputy Directors in government employment to stand as her sureties.

In one of the counts, Mrs Olejeme was alleged to have “dishonestly received the sum of N22,200,000.00” from a contractor with NSITF into her personal account No. 32327505058110 at GT Bank.

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Mrs Olejeme was also accused of receiving $48,485,127.00, which was dollars equivalent to some funds received from contractors as kickback

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Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

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The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

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2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

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According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

READ ALSO:Rivers APC Suspends Fubara Over Alleged Anti-party Activities

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

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Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

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“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

READ ALSO:Court Restrains Rivers Assembly, CJ From Impeaching Fubara, Deputy

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

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You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

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2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

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READ ALSO:2027: Wike Refuses To Confirm Or Deny Chinda’s Governorship Bid

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

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The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.

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