Crime

JUST IN: Alleged N4bn theft: Obiano challenges Abuja court’s jurisdiction, ask Court to stop his Trial

Published

1 year ago

March 4, 2024

A former Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano, has challenged the jurisdiction of the Abuja Federal High Court to hear the alleged fraud preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC had on January 24 arraigned the former governor on nine charges bordering on alleged money laundering to the tune of N4bn.

In the charges, the EFCC alleged that Obiano diverted Anambra State’s security votes to the tune of N4,008,573,350 while he was in the saddle as governor between 2014 and 2022.

The EFCC accused him of indirectly transferring, through his Private Principal Secretary, N1.2bn from the state security vote account to another account belonging to Moment of Peace Ventures, an entity with no business with the state.

Obiano, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, counsel for the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir, told the court he was ready for the commencement of hearing in the matter and had three witnesses to present in court.

But counsel for the defendant, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) told the court that he had filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.

He urged the court to exercise its discretion to determine his motion first before the commencement of trial.

When asked if he had been served the process, Tahir responded the process was served on him around 9:20 am on Monday.

He noted that he had yet to file a reply as a result.

Tahir said, “This process is a blatant waste of time. The issue of jurisdiction has been settled by the Supreme Court once the charge bordered on money laundering, the Federal High Court has inherent jurisdiction to try it.”

However, the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, interjected and urged him to allow the court to take its decision on the motion.

He said, “It is not for you to tell the court the Supreme Court’s decision on the issue. Respond to the motion and leave the court to decide.”

He subsequently adjourned the matter to March 7, 2024, to hear the motion.

Crime

JUST IN: IDF eliminates terrorist behind January West Bank shooting

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Charles Flames

Israeli security forces on Wednesday morning killed Muhammad Zakarna, a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, during a counterterrorism operation near Jenin.

Zakarna was identified as one of the terrorists involved in the deadly shooting attack in the West Bank village of al-Funduq in January.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Zakarna, a resident of Qabatiya, was among three gunmen who opened fire on civilians in al-Funduq on January 6, killing Master Sgt. Elad Yaakov Winkelstein, an off-duty Israeli police officer, and civilians Rachel Cohen and Aliza Raiz.

The IDF said Zakarna was located in a cave near the village of Misilyah following intelligence provided by the Shin Bet security agency.

During the attempted arrest by Yamam, the Israel Police’s elite counterterrorism unit, and IDF troops, a gun battle broke out between the forces and the suspects.

The military said the forces used shoulder-launched missiles during the exchange.

Zakarna and another Islamic Jihad member, Marooh Hazima, also from Qabatiya, were killed.

Hazima had previously been released from Israeli prison in the November 2023 ceasefire-hostage deal with Hamas and had since resumed terrorist activity, the IDF said.

A number of weapons and military gear were recovered from the scene. Several accomplices were also detained and found to be in possession of handguns.

The IDF confirmed that the other two terrorists behind the al-Funduq attack, Qutaiba al-Shalabi and Mohammed Nazal, both affiliated with Hamas — were previously killed in an Israeli operation in Qabatiya on January 23.

Crime

BREAKING: Many feared dead as suspected herdsmen attack Benue community

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2025

Charles Flames

Panic has gripped the Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State following a fresh attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on Tuesday evening.

It was gathered that several residents are feared dead, while numerous houses were set ablaze during the violent attack.

A local resident revealed that the attackers stormed the village around 6 pm and began shooting indiscriminately at anyone in sight.

“They have been shooting and killing people since 6 pm. As we speak, our house and several others have been burnt down.

We are helpless,” a distraught villager said.

At the time of this report, the exact number of casualties remains unclear as residents continue to flee for safety.

Details later……