Alleged terrorism, kidnapping: Judge threatens to strike out trial of Imo monarch killers …As AGF shuns court

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Monday threatened to strike out terrorism charges brought against four defendants who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze-Obowo autonomous community in Imo state, Eze Basil Njoku. The threat by Justice Nyako followed the absence of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi SAN in court to lead the prosecution of the defendants. Although the four defendants were billed for arraignment by 9.am, the judge was forced to shift it till 12noon due to the non-appearance of the AGF or his representatives in court. The four defendants are Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe, Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke. The three counts earlier slammed against them have been increased to five in the amended charges. By 12noon, when the arraignment was to hold, neither the AGF not his representative still appeared in court without any information or communication to the court. The situation prompted the judge to invite lawyers to the defendants into her chambers where an adjournment of April 30th was fixed. Although lead counsel to the defendants, Solomon Akume SAN had applied for dismissal of he terrorism charges against the defendants, Justice Nyako opted to give the the AGF another chance to lead a diligent prosecution The judge however held that in the event of the AGF or his representatives not appearing in court on the adjourned date, the court may have no option than to strike out the charges against the defendants for want of diligent prosecution. At the March 20 last adjourned date, the AGF represented by David Kaswe a lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice had taken over the prosecution of the defendants from the Inspector General of Police IGP who intially initated the trial of defendants Kaswe had told the judge that the AGF invoked section 174 of the 1999 Constitution and section 105 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to assume trial of the defendants The AGF’s office at the last adjourned date told the court that the IGP had been directed to make the case file available to his office. However at today’s proceedings, neither the AGF nor David Kwase and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Simon Lough who was prosecuting the trial for the Inspector General of Police was in court, despite been served with hearing notice. Meanwhile Justice Nyako has ordered that fresh hearing notice for April 30th arraignment of the four defendants be served on the AGF. Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State, were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022.. The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022. The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act. Part of the charge read “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja with intent to mislead the police investigators in the case of kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you gave false information to the investigators that a drunk man informed you that Nwigwe Emeka Williams is responsible for the kidnap and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku Knowing or having reason to know that information you gave to police investigators is false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act 2004. “That you Nwokorie Chidiebere Ejike, 45 years ago and Victor Nwajuiba Obumneke, 39 years all of Ehume in Obowo LGA of Imo State between June to August 2023 at Zone 9 Police Headquarters at Umuahia and Special Tactical Squad, Abuja during the police investigation of offence of kidnapping and terrorism of the Royal Eze, Basil Njoku conspired and brought false accusations with internt to cause Nwigwe Emeka Williams to be charged with kidnapping and terrorism of Eze Basil Njoku, you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 125 of the Criminal Code Act.

Suspected membership of ISIS: Court grants DSS order to detain Nigerian, Osase Emmanuel

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted order for the detention of a Nigerian, Emmanuel Osase accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria for 60 days. Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Wednesday while ruling in a motion ex-parte filed by the State Security Service (SSS) marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024. The matter was brought before the court pursuant to section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. In his prayers, counsel to the SSS, Mr A. A Ugee asked the court for an order enabling the agency to detain Osase for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation. Granting the order, the court held, “Upon studying the averments in the affidavit, I hereby grant the relief as prayed.” The judge subsequently adjourned the matter June 3, 2024. Osase who was arrested on March 11, was accused of propagating the messages of the terrorist group, opposing the Democratic system of government in Nigeria, and calling for terrorist attacks on Nigeria and its symbols of sovereignty. In an affidavit dated March 27, 2024, and deposed to by the personnel of the State Security Service attached to the Legal Service Department, National Headquarters, Abuja, Ahmad Abubakar, the service sought an order to detain the suspect for 60 days, adding that the release of the suspect could jeopardize its investigation. He said, “That it is necessary for the Applicant in the case to apply to this Honourable Court for an Order to detain the Applicant for a period of sixty (60) days, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation in a case of terrorism; ” That the Respondent was arrested by a team of personnel from the applicant’s office for alleged membership and propagation of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist messages, including opposition to the Democratic System of Government and the call for staging terrorist attacks against Nigeria State and its symbols of sovereignty;” Abubakar stated that Osase was jailed for five years for terrorism-related offences in France and was deported after the completion of his sentence. He noted that from the service’s preliminary investigation, Osase was still involved in terrorist activities. Abubakar said the respondent still engaged with a proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation.” “That Preliminary investigation revealed that the Respondent, who is an ex-convict, still engages in terrorist activities which previously led to his conviction in France; ” That the Respondent appeared not to have renounced his terrorist ideologies, as he continues to engage with the proscribed pro-ISIS online media group known as “al-Alawn Media Foundation” whose main objectives is the creation and dissemination of terrorist content and the promotion of terrorist attacks against Democratic Systems of Government such as Nigeria and the Western Governments including their interests across the globe; “That the Respondent who was born in the Federal Capital Territory left Nigeria for France and never returned to Nigeria until his deportation after completion of a five-year jail term in France for acts of terrorism and attempt to join the Islamic State (IS) linked terrorist group, Friqat Al-Ghuraba (Group of Foreigners) in Syria.” Abubakar stated that the respondent, upon sighting operatives of the service, formatted his phone. He said, ” That the Respondent at the point of arrest, formatted his mobile device to factory settings upon sighting security agents ostensibly to wipe out any suspicious contents on the device and cover up his nefarious activities; “That the activities of the Respondent constitute a potent threat to National Security and corporate existence of Nigeria;” He, however, urged the court to grant the request of the service, adding there was a need to painstakingly probe the respondent to ensure he does not constitute a security treat to the country and world at large. ” That the release of the Respondent at this time would jeopardize the investigation, as investigation has assumed a wider dimension; “That there is a need for a thorough investigation of the suspect to ensure that he does not pose any security threat to Nigeria or the world at large. “That the Respondent is helping with vital information that will lead to the arrest of other members who are still at large,” Abubakar stated.

Alleged Terrorism financing: Court orders Binance Ltd. to release data to EFCC

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered Binance Holdings Limited to release all the comprehensive data or information of all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC). Binance is a cryptocurrency exchange that lists more than 350 cryptocurrencies globally. The interim order was granted to enable the anti-graft agency unravel the alleged money laundering and terrorism financing on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the interim order after ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by the EFCC’s lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho. “The applicant’s application dated and filed 29th February, 2024, is hereby granted as prayed. “That an order of this honourable court is hereby made directing the operators of Binance to provide the commission with comprehensive data/information relating to all persons from Nigeria trading on its platform,” the judge ordered. The ex-parte motion, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2024, was brought pursuant to Sections 6(b), (h), (I), 7(1), (a)(2), and 38 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Establishment Act, 2004 and Section 15 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 (as amended) and the inherent powers of the court. In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Hamma Bello, an operative of the EFCC, he said he was attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the commission domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Bello averred that, following the inauguration of the Technical Committee on Currency Stability and Forex Manipulation by the ONSA, the SIT “received an intelligence stating the nefarious activities (money laundering and terrorism financing) on Binance, a crypto currency exchange platform. “That on receipt of the Intelligence, the team began investigation by conducting surveillance of the activities of the platform. “That the team uncovered users who have been using the platform for price discovery, confirmation and market manipulation which has caused tremendous distortions in the market, resulting in the Naira losing its values against other currencies. “That the damage the platform has caused was clearly explained to the operators of the platform and they were requested to delist the Naira and avail the ONSA on the activities of the Nigerians on their platform. “That from the information afforded to the team by Binance shows that the total trading volume from Nigeria in 2023 alone stood at $21.6 (twenty one billion, six hundred million dollars). “Attached and marked as Exhibit EFCC 1 is a copy of the document from Binance to the ONSA stating this fact amongst others. “That the commission will ensure that investigation is conducted within such reasonable time.” Bello, who said that the matter was of utmost urgent public interest, said the data provided would enable the commission accomplish its investigation activities. He said it was in the interest of justice to grant the application as refusal of the request would largely hamper the commission’s investigation. In addition to cryptocurrency trading, it offers several services that enhance the experience for users and blockchain developers.

Alleged terrorism: Fubara’s loyalists trial adjourns to March 19

The Federal High Court Abuja, has adjourned the trial of five loyalists of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara on terrorism charges has been adjourned to March 19. The adjournment was on the instances of Lukman Fagbemi, SAN, that the Inspector General of Police(IGP) filed a counter affidavit that raised more issues against the defendants. The five men charged with terrorism offences by the IGP, are Chime Eguma Ezebalike; Prince Lukman Oladele; Kenneth Goodluck Kpasa; Osiga Donald and Ochueja Thankgod. At resumed proceedings, Fagbemi told the court that he had filed a motion on notice challenging the competence of the terrorism charges and the territorial jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge. He however, said that the Inspector General of Police responded to his motion through a counter affidavit that raised grievous allegations against his clients. He submitted that the counter affidavit was served on him during the proceedings and that he needed time to study the affidavit and respond to it appropriately. The Inspector General of Police, who was represented at the proceedings by Aliyu Garba, admitted that he served the counter affidavit opposing the application of Fagbemi in the court room. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon after checking the case file found that the copy of the counter affidavit had not been served on the court. Based on the request of Fagbemi, Justice Olajuwon shifted the trial till March 19 with an order on parties to file and exchange processes before the date to ensure unhindered proceeding. The Inspector General of Police IGP had on January 25 slammed the terrorism charges on them for allegedly invading, vandalizing and burning down Rivers State House of Assembly last year. They were accused of committing the alleged terrorism offences during the wake of political upheaval that rocked Port Harcourt in October last year. In the charges against them marked FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2024, police alleged that apart from burning down the State House of Assembly, some of them were said to have killed a Superintendent of Police, (SP) Bako Agbashim and five police informants at Ahoada community of the state. The police informants said to have been killed by the defendants are Charles Osu, Ogbonna Eja, Idaowuka Felix, Paul Victor Chibuogu and Saturday Edi. They are also accused of using various cult groups, namely- Supreme Viking Confraternity, Degbam, Iceland and Greenland to unleash mayhem on the people of the state and their commercial activities. Specifically, they are alleged to have on October 29, 2023 at Moscow Road in Port Harcourt conspired to commit acts of terrorism by wilful destruction of public properties by invading, attacking, destroying and burning of the Rivers State House of Assembly, an offence punishable under section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. The defendants have since been at Kuje Prison in Abuja on remand having been denied bail by the court on account of gravity of charges against them.

Alleged Terrorists: Imo monarchs killers face fresh charges, March 12

The two suspected terrorists, Jude Iheme and Chika Madukwe who allegedly kidnapped and killed the traditional ruler of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community of Imo State, Eze Basil Njoku are to face fresh terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 12. Iheme, 52 years of Amagwu Amanze Obowo local government area of Imo and Madukwe, 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo local government area also of Imo State were said to have killed the traditional ruler on December 17, 2022. The defendants were accused of killing the monarch while coming from the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia after kidnapping and collecting a ransom of N4M cash from his family. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) filed the 3-count terrorism charges against them. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/575/2024, Iheme and Madukwe alongside others said to be at large were said to have conspired to commit felony to wit, acts of terrorism contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022. They were also said to have armed themselves with guns and offensive weapons, attacked, kidnapped and killed the monarch on December 17, 2022. The IGP also accused them of failing to volunteer information at their disposal to security agencies which could have led to apprehension of other kidnappers contrary to section 16 of the same Terrorism Act. When the charges were read to them before Justice Binta Nyako, they pleaded not guilty. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),.Simon Lough who is leading the prosecution for the Inspector General of Police told the court that Police has amended the charges following the arrest of more suspects by operatives. He requested for a date for the other suspects to be brought to court to take plea in the amended charges. Justice Binta Nyako granted the request and fixed March 12 for the fresh arraignment. The Judge ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Kuje Prison in Abuja and be returned to court on the adjourned date. Count One of the charge read “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu Amanze village Obowo LGA Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert conspired together to commit Felony to wit: acts of terrorism and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Count two “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 17th December, 2022 at 71/2 junction Umumegwu – Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and armed with guns and other offensive weapons attacked, kidnapped and killed HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia having collected a ransom of N4,000,000.00 (four million naira) from his family and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 2(2) (f) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Count three “That you Jude Iheme ‘M’ 56 yrs of Amagwu Amanze Obowo LGA of Imo state, Chika Madukwe ‘M’ 42 years of Ndi-Uche Etiti Omuimo LGA of Imo State and others now at large on about the 20th December, 2022 at Amanze village Obowo LGA of Imo state within the jurisdiction of this court while acting in concert and having information through your communication with the kidnappers that HRH Eze Basil Njoku of Amanze Obowo Autonomous Community in Imo State was attacked and kidnapped on his way from Federal Medical Centre Umuahia which information was material to the apprehension of the kidnappers, you failed to immediately disclosed the information to relevant agencies and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 16(1)(b) of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.

Binance Boss Summoned Over Alleged Terrorism Financing

CEO of Binance Holding Limited, Richard Teng has been summoned by the  House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes over the allegations of money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Chairman of the Committee, Ginger Onwusibe, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Binance Holdings bossto appear before the committee by March 4, 2024. Recall that the federal government banned the major online crypto platforms to avert the continuous manipulation of the forex market and illicit movement of funds, while Binance, an online cryptocurrency exchange, was accused of money laundering by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Onwusibe warned that the committee will take appropriate measures if the Binance head fails to heed the summon. He criticized Teng for his persistent refusal to attend despite several invitations, highlighting the company’s apparent disregard for the country’s established laws regarding business and financial operations. The committee, under the chairmanship of Onwusibe, sent a letter dated December 12, 2023, summoning the Managing Director of Binance for a hearing scheduled on December 18, 2023. Onwusibe emphasized the committee’s determination to combat financial crimes, citing the authority granted by the Nigerian Constitution to safeguard citizens from such offences, particularly those perpetrated by foreign entities. He highlighted the urgency of protecting the nation’s finances, especially amidst economic challenges like recession, and underscored the seriousness of allegations against Binance, including terrorism financing, money laundering, and tax evasion. Onwusibe stressed the need to preserve tax revenues and prevent channels for funding terrorism while prioritizing the protection of Nigerian investors from exploitative practices by firms like Binance. He insisted on accountability for tax payments and the establishment of physical offices for addressing consumer grievances, signalling an end to exploitation and a commitment to holding perpetrators accountable. Onwusibe said, “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has empowered us to protect Nigerians from financial crimes, especially by foreign companies. “We also have to protect and defend the country’s finances, especially now that the country is nose-diving into recession. The allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering and tax evasion, amongst others, levelled against Binance, are damning enough. “At this material time, we need all the tax dollars and to block the leaks and channels to financing terror. “It is also our duty to do everything in our power to protect Nigerian investors from predatory firms, and no distraction and manipulation can stop us. “You cannot run a company with over 10 million Nigerians on your platform without paying tax and having a physical office where Nigerians can lodge their complaints when they experience any challenge with your service. The era of exploitation is over, and all culprits must be held accountable.“