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Chukwumezie: Businessman drags EFCC, NCAC, others to Court for freezing 13 bank accounts

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Oyo ALGON rejects Appeal Court verdict, heads to Supreme Court

An Anambra businessman, 54-year-old Mr. Nze Chukwumezie on Monday, sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) over an alleged unlawful freezing of his thirteen bank accounts, emphasizing infringement on his rights.

Mr Chukwumezie, Managing Director, Soka Comfortainment Limited, also sued the United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), ECOBANK, Diamond Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank and Sterling Bank as 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respondents, positing the EFCC as 1st respondent and NCAC as 9th respondent.

Twelve of the bank accounts have his name as account name while the Sterling Bank account 0003242109 has the name of his company as the account name.

The case was first instituted in June before Justice I. L. Ojukwu of Court 8.

Chukwumezie, through his Counsel, Jideofor Ukachukwu, in a motion with file number: FHC/ABJ/CS/499/2019, sought a declaration that his detention by the 1st respondent on Jan. 30, 2018 was unlawful and a breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement “as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).”

“A declaration that the detention of the applicant by the 6th respondent on Sept. 17, 2018 is unlawful/wrongful, same being a breach/violation of his Fundamental Right to Personal Liberty and Freedom of Movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“A declaration that freezing and/or placing any form of restriction on the various bank accounts of the applicant by the 2nd to 8th respondents on the instructions of the 1st respondent without an order of a court of competent jurisdiction is unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal, unlawful and a violation of the applicant’s Fundamental Right to own immovable property as guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” he said.

The lawyer also urged Justice Maha to give an order, directing the 1st respondent to pay the sum of N10 million to “the applicant as damages/compensation against his illegal detention on Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, 2018.

“An Order of court directing the 6th respondent, to pay the sum of N5 million to the applicant, as damages/compensation against his illegal detention on Sept. 17, 2018;

“An Order of Court mandating the 1st respondent to pay the sum of N20 million to the applicant for issuing an illegal directive to the 2nd to 8th respondents to freeze and/or place restriction on the applicant’s bank accounts.

“An Order of court mandating the 2nd respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N30 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his 3 bank accounts domiciled in its bank.

“An Order of court mandating the 3rd respondent to pay to the Applicant the sum of N10 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his bank account domiciled in its bank.

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“An order of count mandating the 4th Respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N40 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his 4 bank accounts domiciled in its bank.

“An order of court mandating the 5th respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N10 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his bank account domiciled in its bank.

“An order of court mandating the 6th respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N10 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his bank account domiciled in its bank.

“An order of court mandating the 7th respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N10 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his bank account domiciled in its bank.

“An order of court mandating the 8th respondent to pay to the applicant the sum of N20 million for the unlawful freezing and/or placing of restriction on his 2 bank accounts domiciled in its bank.

“The sum of N50 million against all the respondents jointly and severally as aggravated and exemplary damages.

“The sum of N1 billion as cost of this suit.

“And for such further Order(s) that this court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

Counsel to the applicant argued that the reliefs were sought based on the fact that “the 1st and 6th respondents illegally and unlawfully detained the applicant and thereby violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The 1st respondent without a valid order of court directed/caused the 2nd to 8th respondents to freeze and/or place restrictions on the various bank accounts of the applicant and thereby breached/violated the Fundamental Right of the Applicant to ownership of immovable property as guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The 2nd to 8th respondents without a valid order of court froze and/or placed restrictions on the bank accounts of the Applicant in violation of the Applicant’s ownership of immovable property as guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”

According to him, the actions of the respondents amount to self-help and abuse of power which is unconstitutional, arbitrary, illegal and unlawful.

The lawyer said that the respondents had acted without regard to the extant laws of the land and fundamental rights of the applicant.

However, all the counsel to the respondents were in the court on Monday, except the 1st respondent (EFCC)’s counsel.

Justice Maha, who expressed concern that counsel to the EFCC was not in court despite service of hearing, observed that the case ruling might not be ready within the vacation period.

The judge, therefore, sent the matter back to Court 8 and adjourned the matter until Oct. 17 for further hearing.

 

Health and Safety

NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

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NDLEA, NBA Hail Comptroller Idris For Tackling Smuggling, Drug Trafficking

The Katsina Customs Area Command, Controller, Abba-Aji Idris, has been hugely commended by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for his proactive efforts in tackling cross-border crimes, particularly smuggling and drug trafficking.

In a press statement signed by the Command’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bello Isah, on 31 October 2024, both agencies were reported to have praised Comptroller Idris during recent engagements with the Command, recognising his role in strengthening border security and public awareness.

The newly appointed NDLEA Commander for Katsina, Abubakar Aminu, already paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Idris at the Customs House in Katsina on 30 October 2024. 

During the visit, he specially commended the Customs Command’s extensive efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of smuggling and drug trafficking.

“The purpose of this visit is to assist the Comptroller in any way possible,” Commander Abubakar stated, emphasising the NDLEA’s alignment with the Customs Command’s objectives to protect the state from illegal cross-border activities.

Comptroller Idris, in his response, expressed appreciation for the NDLEA’s show of support, describing the visit as a timely reinforcement of Katsina Command’s mission. He detailed several strategies he has implemented since taking office, underlining the Command’s ongoing dedication to safeguarding Katsina State’s borders.

Similarly, the Katsina State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by the Chairman, Barrister Shafiu Umar, also acknowledged Comptroller Idris’ contributions to public security. 

During their visit to the command, Barrister Umar applauded the Comptroller’s active engagement with the community and his public enlightenment campaigns, noting the NBA’s commitment to supporting legal cooperation and awareness efforts in alignment with the Command’s anti-smuggling objectives.

Comptroller Idris expressed his appreciation to the NBA delegation for their support and pledged to work closely with the association to enhance the command’s operational goals further. 

He particularly emphasised the importance of community partnerships in achieving lasting success, against border-related crimes.

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Health and Safety

CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

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CYBERCRIME: Be More Disciplined and Mindful In Your Choice of Words, Police Cautions Journalists

…Says Words are sometimes sharper than Swords

The National Cybercrime Centre – Nigeria Police Force has stressed that the word is sometimes sharper than the sword and warned journalists to be more disciplined and mindful in their choice of words online.

 The Acting Assistant Director of the Cybercrime Centre, SP Abubakar Smart, advised at a cybercrime workshop organised for journalists by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) on Thursday at the International Maritime Press Centre, Apapa, Lagos.

 Smart stressed that the pen could be sharper than the knife and therefore warned that journalists should ensure that whatever they push out online would not get them in trouble.

“What strikes the mind of people when we talk of cybercrime is internet fraud but it is more than that.

“Today, it has become a global threat due to the way we use digital technology, the nature of our work and the way we interact online.

“Journalists need to be well-informed about the Cybercrime Act of 2015, as amended, to be more educated about cybercrime so as not to fall victim,” he said.

Smart described cybercrime as any criminal activity done in cyberspace on any social media platform.

He listed them to include bullying, stalking,  fraud, identity theft and phishing.

“The punishment for cybercrime can be up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to N10 million and asset forfeiture.

“We should be aware of regulatory agencies responsible for ensuring the cyberspace is free.

“Some of them are the National Cybercrime Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” he said.

In his paper presentation, Dr Layinka Adagun, a veteran journalist and Mass Communication Lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic urged journalists not to be desperate to be superstars.

He said that the zeal to confirm exclusive stories and the persistence to get information first could make some run foul of the cybercrime law.

Adagun said that some media professionals had a misconception that their daily activities, particularly intellectual outputs were removed from Internet governance.

“The internet has become a global tool for everything including a channel for freedom of expression but sadly, the freedom that the internet depicts is now being attacked and users intimidated.

“We all need to safeguard our access and activities on the electronic highway,” he said.

He said that cybercrime could be avoided, reduced or eliminated through a combination of individual awareness, organisational measures and technological solutions.

“Some strategies are: to educate ourselves on cybercrime, use strong passwords, be cautious with links and attachments, keep software up-to-date, and implement cyber security policies,” he said

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Health and Safety

Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

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Why NCoS Affirms Suspension Of Senior Officers

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has warned that any further attempt by its officers to pull the wool over the public eyes, may be treated as an act of gross misconduct and thus, attract serious sanctions 

The NCoS emphasized this in a statement made available by the Public Relations Officer and image maker, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, specifically calling attention to a public reaction of one of its officers, to a recently trending video.

“The attention of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defence, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB)”, the statement indicated, adding:

“The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three (3) other officers following their alleged roles in various misconducts to allow for further investigation.

“The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Sikiru Adekunle; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the officer-in-charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) Ogbule Samuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi state”, the statement further indicated.

It would be recalled that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services board (CDCFIB) with reference nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOL.II/17 both dated 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned officers.

 The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various officers accordingly. 

The Image maker consequently advised the public to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that a thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Rules as well as other extant laws.

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