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Arrest

Former FCT Minister’s Son Remanded in Kuje Prison for Alleged N1.2bn Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 arraigned Shamsudeen Bala, son of a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a 15-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion.

Bala is being charged along with four companies – Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistic Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.

Bala and Diakin Telecommunications Ltd are also accused of making cash payment of the sum of N74,244,005 (seventy-four million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, five naira) to Abuja Investment Company Ltd without going through a Financial Institution. The offence is in breach of Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012).
One of the counts reads:

“That you, Shamsudeen Bala (alias Shamsudeen Mohammed Bala), Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd and Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd sometime in 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did without going through a Financial Institution make cash payment of the sum of N296,000,000 (Two hundred and ninety six million naira) only to A & K Constructions Ltd Abuja and Sunrise Estate Development Ltd for Construction of a house on plot nos 2116 and 2276 at Asokoro Gardens (alias Sunrise Estate) Abuja, which sum exceeded the statutory limit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) and (4) of the same Act”.

Another charge reads:

“That you, Shamsudeen Bala and Bal-Vic Mining Nig. Ltd sometime in 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did without going through a Financial Institution made cash payment of the sum of N45,475,000 (Forty-five million, four hundred and seventy-five thousand naira) only to Abuja Investment Company Ltd as part of payment for purchase of House FS 2 B Green Acre Estate Apo-Dutse Abuja.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him.
Upon his plea, counsel to EFCC, Ben S. Ikani asked the court to fix a date for trial and for the remand of the accused in prison custody pending trial.
 
However, Bala’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, told the court that he had a pending application dated and filed January 27, 2017 praying for the release of the accused on bail. He said that aside the health challenges faced by the accused, the EFCC had earlier granted him administrative bail which he had not breached. He urged the court to admit him to bail on same conditions set by the EFCC assuring that, the accused would be available to stand his trial.
 
 
Justice Dimgba adjourned ruling on the bail application to February 3 while fixing March 27 for commencement of trial.
 
The judge also ordered the remand of the accused in Kuje prison custody pending ruling on his bail application.
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Entertainment

How Police officials forcefully Arrest Portable [VIDEO]

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A video surfaced online depicting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) handling the arrest of well-known singer Habeeb Okikiola, also known as Portable.

The viral footage captured police officers forcefully dealing with the singer after he made an attempt to escape.

On Tuesday, officers from the Lagos State Police Command detained the Zazzu artist for failing to settle a debt accrued from his purchase of a Mercedes G-Wagon from a local car dealer.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Command, verified Portable’s arrest, mentioning that the singer had only paid N13 million of the N27 million car price, and has since neglected to pay the remaining N14 million.

According to Hundeyin, Portable consistently claimed that the vehicle was defective whenever the car dealer requested payment for the outstanding balance.

“Portable has been apprehended. He bought a G-Wagon for N27 million, paid N13 million, and declined to pay the remainder, citing issues with the vehicle. We arrested him today,” Hundeyin stated.

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Entertainment

Portable Remain in Police Custody for Failing to meet up bail condition after arrest

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Renowned street performer Habeeb Okikiola, commonly known as Portable, continues to be held in police custody due to his inability to meet the bail requirements.

As previously reported by STEADY GIST, Portable was detained for allegedly failing to settle a N14 million debt resulting from his purchase of a G-Wagon from a car dealer in Lagos State.

According to Benjamin Hudenyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Portable will remain in detention until he can provide a trustworthy surety to secure his bail.

“He has not presented a reliable surety yet, so he (Portable) remains in our custody,” Hudenyin stated.

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Arrest

Police arrest over 50, destroy shanties as hoodlums clash in Lagos

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Lagos State Police Command,

The Lagos State Police Command has affirmed the apprehension of at least 50 individuals linked to a clash in the Ile-Epo region of the state.

As reported earlier by STEADY GIST, a confrontation erupted among hoodlums at the local market in Ile-Epo, commencing Wednesday night and extending into Thursday morning.

These hoodlums allegedly ignited the market, resulting in the destruction of merchandise and other valuable items.

Nonetheless, the Lagos Command, through its spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that peace has been restored to the area.

The statement declares, “Over fifty suspects have been arrested, and their shanties have been demolished, effectively dispersing them.

“Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered the swift prosecution of the detained hoodlums and has also cautioned that the Command will take firm action against anyone disrupting peace, as per the law.

“Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, Area Commander Alagbado, and other Divisional Police Officers under the Area Command are currently present to prevent any further disorder.”

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Arrest

Nnamdi Kanu Has been Detained Till July 26 for trial Continuation

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has detained Nnamdi Kanu, in custody of the Department of State Service (DSS) till July 26.

Nnamdi Kanu was arrested abroad on Sunday and flown back to the country. He was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako on Tuesday.

Justice Binta Nyako was the judge who granted him bail on health grounds in 2017. But Kanu flouted the bail, forcing the judge to revoke it eventually.

He eventually fled abroad but continued to incite his followers who floated the Eastern Security Network, an armed wing of IPOB.

On Tuesday, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that the defendant (Kanu) had been arrested and produced in court.

Labaran urged the court for an order detaining the arrested IPOB leader at the DSS facility pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Justice Nyako, who granted the plea, adjourned the matter until July 26 for trial continuation.

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