The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is set to prosecute one Ismail Usman, a herbalist, who shot himself while testing his self-made bulletproof charm.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT,  SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

She said the herbalist shot himself in the stomach in an attempt to test the efficacy of his self-made ‘bulletproof’ charm.

Adeh said that one Shandam Michael reported the incident to the police, adding that it occurred on Nov. 23 at Kuchibuyi Village in Kubwa area of Abuja.

According to her, operatives from Byazhin division responded swiftly on receipt of the report and on reaching the scene found the herbalist in critical condition.

Adeh said the herbalist was quickly rushed to Kubwa General Hospital for emergency treatment but was later referred to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

“In the aftermath, police conducted a thorough search of the herbalist’s home and recovered a homemade gun and an array of charms used in his reckless experiment.

“Investigations are ongoing. Usman is expected to face charges for unlawful possession of firearms and attempted suicide,” she said.

The PPRO said the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, had condemned the incident and highlighted the dangers associated with illegal firearms.

“This situation illustrates the serious risks of engaging in reckless behaviour.

“We strongly advise the community to avoid such dangerous practices,” Adeh quoted Disu as saying

…As Emefiele stands trial over alleged $4.5bn and N2.8bn fraud, while in office.

The seventh prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, in the ongoing trial of the ex-governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, narrated how he collected the sum of $400,000 on behalf of the ex-governor.

Adetola, who was the former personal assistant to Emefiele, made the revelation on Thursday while giving evidence before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Emefiele is standing trial for alleged abuse of office and $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud, while in office.

He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.

Omoile, on his part, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents.

At the resumed hearing, Adetola, through his counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), told the court that he managed office correspondences and visitors of the governor in Lagos.

He said his duty gave him direct access to Emefiele.

Adetola said sometime in February 2023, he received an invite from EFCC and was interviewed on his relationship with Emefiele.

He said, “I made a voluntary statement at the EFCC office.

“In 2018, Mr Eric Odoh, the personal assistant to the governor in Abuja, sent a message to me that I should go and meet Mr John Ayoh, the former director of ICT department to collect $400,000 and give it to the governor.

“I went to Mr Ayoh’s house in Lekki and he gave me the envelope.

“I came back to the office and gave the envelope to the governor.”

Adetola further told the court that he informed EFCC about the money during his interrogation.

The witness, also confirmed that he communicated with Emefiele through telephone, email, office line and verbal communication whenever he was around.

He also confirmed to the court that he knew one George and Okanta who were Emefiele’s younger brothers and the governor’s wife, Margaret, by virtue of his relationship with his boss.

Adetola also confirmed to the court that Omoile (his co-defendant) lived in Emefiele’s house in Lagos.

The witness also identified bundles of documents which were official communication between him and the ex-governor.

He also identified documents showing his communication with Ayoh (former director of ICT department) and Odoh (personal assistant to the governor in Abuja).

The prosecution sought to tender the bundles of documents for identification purposes.

Emefiele’s counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) did not object.

But Omoile’s counsel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), objected and argued that the documents had no basis in law.

According to Kotoye, a document not tendered as an exhibit, should not be tendered at all.

Oyedepo, in his response, argued that the documents were relevant and would prove essential ingredients of the offences.

“The documents are for identification,” he said.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, admitted the bundles of documents for identification purposes, after considering the party’s submissions.

Oshodi adjourned the case until Dec. 10 for cross-examination of the witness. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday brought a Chinese, Zhengjia Jin, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, for alleged bribery and N301 million fraud.

Jin, was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on retention of stolen property, bribery and stealing.

The EFCC counsel, Mr Ahmad Usman, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences between March 5 and Aug. 9 in Lagos.

He alleged that the defendant dishonestly retained an aggregate sum of N301 million in his account number- 1861390260 domiciled in Access Bank, which belonged to Golden Diamond Industrial Manufacturing Company Ltd.

The prosecutor submitted that the defendant, while working at the company, accepted directly into his bank account the said money as kickbacks from vendors, thereby conferring undue advantage for himself.

The prosecutor said that the defendant’s action was contrary to the company’s employee condition of service.

The anti-graft agency also stated that the defendant dishonestly converted N301 million to his personal use.

According to EFCC, the offences contravene Sections 83, 328, Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 and Section 280 (2) and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Defence Counsel, Mr A.C. Ezenduka informed the court of a bail application.

Counsel to EFCC, however, told the court that the prosecution had not been served.

Justice Rahman Oshodi, remanded the defendant at Ikoyi Custodial Centre, pending hearing of his bail application.

Oshodi adjourned the case until Nov. 22 for hearing of bail application.