Metro

Two Witnesses Testify As EFCC Opens Case Against Ex-Gov Obiano

Published

1 year ago

June 26, 2024

Two witnesses testified on Tuesday at a Federal High Court, Abuja as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened its money laundering case against former Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano.

A commercial banker staff, Mr Tochukwu Aloysius Nnadi, and an Onitsha-based businesswoman, Mrs Chinwe Patricia Egbunam, were led in evidence as 1st and 2nd prosecution witnesses by EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, before Justice Inyang Ekwo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obiano was Anambra governor between March 2014 and March 2022.

The former governor, in a nine-count charge, was alleged to have among others, misappropriated over N4 billion from the state’s treasury.

When the matter was called, Nnadi, the 1st prosecution witness (PW-1), told the court that he was a bank manager at Awka, the capital of Anambra.

The witness said: “My lord, as part of our responsibilities, we manage customers’ accounts and interface with various security and anti-graft agencies in terms of enquiry on a customer’s account.

“We usually comply by providing the requested information.

“I know the defendant in this matter. He is the immediate past governor of Anambra State.

“In April 2022, I was informed by our compliance unit that I was needed at EFCC in respect of activities of the past administration of Anambra State.

“I went there with two of my colleagues. The EFCC told me that my invitation was in respect of an ongoing investigation.

“I was told that it was because I was the manager of the branch that handled most of the financial activities of the then state government.

“The state government maintains various accounts with our bank and one of such accounts was for security votes.”

According to him there was really nothing special about the security votes account.

“It was like every other account that we managed for the state government.

“The account was mostly funded by the office of the Accountant General of the state and bulk of the funds came from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

“Payments into the account was made on weekly basis and all transactions out of the account were always based on the advice of the account operators.

“The payments we made out of the account were to various entities and corporate organisations.

“We supplied documents containing names of all the beneficiaries to the EFCC,” the witness added.

However, he declined request by the prosecution counsel, Tahir, to mention names of some of the beneficiaries in the open court.

Nnadi said doing so would amount to a breach of his “oath of secrecy.”

He said the accounts were mostly funded every week.

“Cash withdrawals, manager’s cheques, transfers and drafts were instruments that were used to remove the funds, based on instructions from the operators of the accounts.

“Some of the documents I submitted to the EFCC, included the certified true copies (CTCs) of the statements of account, cover letter for the statements of account, packages used to open the account, as well as certificates of identification for each of the accounts,” he said.

Meanwhile, the bundle of documents from the bank, totaling 794 pages were tendered and admitted in evidence by the court as Exhibit PW-1 (A1- A 794)

Another bundle of documents dated June 1, 2023, showing the debits that were made from the accounts, were also admitted in evidence.

Obiano’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said his client would reserve his objections to the Exhibits and raise them in his final address.

When the witness was asked to read to the court, from the exhibit, some of the names on the list of beneficiaries of funds that were transferred out of the account, he mentioned; “Moment of Peace Ventures, Easy Diamond Integrated Links and Nasda Ventures.”

When being cross-examined, Nnadi told the court that all the transactions that involved his bank, were done in compliance with the mandate on each account.

He said the mandates were also in accordance with the banking practice.

Shortly after Nnadi concluded his evidence and was dismissed, Mrs Egbunam.mounted the box and testified in the matter.

She told the court that she is a trader that specialised in “Turkey wears.”

She told the court that she had on May 20, received a call that she was needed at the EFCC office over some funds that passed through the account of her company, C.I. Party Ventures Nigeria Limited.

“When I got to the EFCC, I told them that I did not know anything about the money but that I knew that I told my account officer, Mr. Ugochukwu Otibelu, to help me to upgrade my account to enable me to meet requirement of the Embassy of Turkey.

“It was to upgrade the account to enable me to be able to travel and the upgrade was for him to help me and post money into my account.

“My account officer accepted my request and collected my company account and cheque.

“However, at the EFCC, I was told that about N156. 8 million passed through my account from the Anambra State Government,” she said.

While being cross-examined, the witness told the court that the arrangement was for her account officer to facilitate the inflow of funds into her company’s account.

She told the court that she did not touch the money that was wired into the account as it did not belong to her.

More so, the witness told the court that the directors of the company’s account were her family members.

“Outside the fact that the defendant was the governor of Anambra State, I never had any dealings with him,” she added.

Asked to tell the court about the security situation in the state while Obiano held sway as governor, the witness said: “I currently stay in Anambra. There is usually no movement in the state every Monday because of a sit-at-home order.

“I know ESN and IPOB and they operate fully in Anambra State.”

She said during Obiano’s tenure, the former governor worked with organisations and churches to maintain peace in the state.

“This was because churches, organisations and even mosques were under threat during that period,” the witness added.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Wednesday for trial continuation.

Metro

Teacher Bags 14 Years Imprisonment For Sexually Abusing Seven-yr-old

Published

7 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

Lady-justice
Justice Rahman Oshodi of a Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced a 61-year-old teacher, Igwe Ngozi, to 14 years imprisonment for sexual assault of a seven-year-old child.

The judge sentenced and convicted Ngozi after finding him guilty as he pleaded to an amended one-count charge brought against him by the state government.

The charge bordered on sexual assault by penetration.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant, on or about February 2019 at Linsey Nursery and Primary School at Igbo-Efon Alpha Beach Road, Lekki, Lagos, attempted to assault a seven-year-old girl by penetrating her vagina with his finger.

His offence is contrary to the provision of Section 262 C.17, Vol. 3 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, Ngozi was initially charged with one count of sexual assault by penetration, which is punishable by life imprisonment, but approached the prosecution for a plea bargain.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was initially arraigned sometime in February 2019.

The victim’s mother (PW1) testified that the incident occurred one day when she observed that her daughter’s pants were messy and that she had been complaining of lower abdominal pain.

She told the court that her daughter said her class teacher had been inserting his finger into her vagina, and that each time he did that, she became scared and sometimes screamed.

The state counsel, S.O. Dada, informed the court on June 16, 2025, and filed on June 19, 2025, that Ngozi had agreed to a plea bargain agreement, which necessitated the amended charge of attempted sexual assault by penetration.

He was therefore re-arraigned on July 17, 2025, and he pleaded guilty.

While delivering judgment yesterday, Justice Oshodi held that he was satisfied that the convict was competent to enter the plea bargain agreement.

The judge held that, “The first charge is punishable by life imprisonment. However, through the plea bargain process, you have pleaded guilty to this lesser charge, and I am bound to sentence you according to the agreed terms.”

“As a class teacher, you were supposed to protect the child, but unfortunately abused a seven-year-old child, causing physiological trauma to the victim.”

“Igwe Ngozi, I have considered your breach of trust as a teacher and the trauma inflicted upon her; I find the maximum sentence appropriate.”

The court therefore found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment. The court ordered that the sentence should begin from the date he was remanded in custody.

The judge also held that the convict should be registered as a sex offender in furtherance of Sections 33 and 38 of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law of Lagos State 2021, and also serve his sentence in the place he has been held during his trial.

Metro

Why Killers Of Anambra Siblings Have Not Been Unraveled 7 Months After — Police

Published

11 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command,CP Ikioye Orutugu, has given reasons why the killers of three siblings in the state have not been unmasked seven months after the incident happened in Nnewichi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the command headquarters in Awka, on Monday, Orutugu, said though investigation into the killing is still ongoing, it has been slow down by forensic challenges.

The three siblings namely Chikaima Ejezie, female (nine); Chimdirim Ejezie, male (five); and Chimziterem Ejezie, female, (eight) were reportedly killed and their lifeless bodies found inside a freezer in their apartment on February 1.

It was reportedly gathered that the killers invaded their apartment while the children were inside, killed them and inserted their lifeless bodies into the freezer in one of the rooms.

However, fielding questions from newsmen on why no suspects have been unmasked ,the CP said while the police are working hard to unravel the perpetrators of the dastardly act, it is noteworthy for people to know that homicide crime takes longer time to conclude due to the extensive investigations involved in the exercise.

He said, ‘On the case of the three siblings that were killed in Nnewichi, it was a case of homicide and homicide crime takes longer time to unravel because it requires extensive investigations and piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime. Gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“There are also forensic challenges, an autopsy has been conducted and the result is helping with investigations that are still ongoing, we are not relenting in unravelling the perpetrators of the dastardly act. Homicide is the act of killing another human being. It can be classified into different categories, including murder – intentional and unlawful killing, often with malice aforethought.

“It comes with extensive investigations such as proving intent, establishing the perpetrator’s state of mind or intentions, piecing together the sequence of events surrounding the crime, identifying suspects, gathering enough evidence to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“But we will ensure that perpetrators are brought to book no matter how long it takes’’

The CP also highlighted achievements recorded by the command in the last six months of his assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command.

He said, “Upon assumption of office, we made a firm commitment to restore public confidence in policing, strengthen collaboration with sister agencies, and ensure that Anambra remains a safe and secure state for all residents and visitors.

“I was confronted with several pressing security concerns, including the disturbing case of a suspect who had escaped custody after being implicated in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, as well as other related security issues.’’

He noted that one of the notable successes of the command in the last six months was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of the member, Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.

“This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes

“We began by engaging and visiting key security stakeholders to improve cooperation, strengthen intelligence sharing, and enhance operational support for the Police and other security agencies. This partnership has enhanced intelligence gathering, community cooperation, and timely crime reporting

“In a decisive move to combat kidnapping, violent crimes, and other criminal activities, the Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, launched Operation Zero Kidnapping. This joint operation has significantly disrupted the activities of criminal gangs and brought the rate of kidnapping in the state to zero.

“In the past six months, the Command has recorded significant achievements, including recovery of over 300 arms, 20 explosives, more than 1,000 ammunition, and more than 30 vehicles. Destruction of more than five criminal camps.

Arrest of over 200 suspects, including cultists, separatist agitators, and armed robbers.

“One of the notable successes was the re-arrest of the suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Honourable Justice Azuka. This breakthrough underscores our unwavering resolve to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes are brought to justice, no matter how long it takes.

“The Command has explored the use of Alternative dispute resolution to resolve so many communal crises, including the boundary dispute between Ikenga and Isiokwe villages in Umueri and Aguleri and others

“While challenges remain, our results so far reaffirm that with sustained collaboration, professionalism, and community trust, we can keep Anambra safe. I commend the command’s officers and men, our sister agencies, and the good people of Anambra State for their support,” the CP added.
(PUNCH)

Metro

Army Arrests Notorious IPOB Commander In Imo

Published

11 hours ago

September 17, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a notorious commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, identified as Ifeanyi Eze Okorienta, popularly known as Gentle de Yahoo.

Okorienta was captured in his hideout at Aku-Ihube, Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, during a joint operation conducted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade in collaboration with other security agencies.

A statement by the Nigerian Army said the raid led to the recovery of an English pistol, 120 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 25 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, a cartridge, six mobile phones, military and police uniforms, as well as a German flag.

Troops also uncovered a workshop used for dismantling stolen vehicles for resale and destroyed 10 motorcycles found at the site.

In related operations, troops carried out coordinated missions in Adamawa, Katsina, and Kogi States, rescuing 12 kidnapped victims. Five persons were freed in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa, another five in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina, while two others were rescued in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Separately, operatives of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, neutralised eight fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Borno State. Several others with gunshot wounds were arrested.

According to a military statement, the encounter occurred in the early hours of Monday after terrorists laid an ambush near Garin Giwa along the Baga–Cross Kauwa Main Supply Route.

“During the exchange of fire, eight ISWAP fighters were neutralised, including two Munzirs and one Qaid,” the statement added.