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EFCC Seeks Arrest of Ex-NDDC Boss, Tuoyo Omatsuli for Alleged N3.6bn Fraud

Tuoyo Omatsuli

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, prayed Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos to issue a warrant of arrest to compel a former Executive Director on Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Tuoyo Omatsuli to attend his trial over an alleged N3.6bn fraud.

Omatsuli, alongside Francis Momoh, Don Parker Properties Limited and Building Associates Limited, were initially standing trial on an alleged case of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion, Six Hundred and Forty-five Million Naira) before retired Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Engr Tuoyo Omatsuli, Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited, between August 2014 and September 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to disguise the illegal origin of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion Six Hundred and Forty-Five Million Naira), being proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: corruption and gratification; and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

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Another count reads: “That you, Engr Tuoyo Omatsuli, between August 2014 and September 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did procure Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited to use the total sum of N3,645,000,000 (Three Billion Six Hundred and Forty-Five Million Naira) paid by Starline Consultancy Services into the Diamond Bank Plc Account No. 0023785116 operated by Building Associate Ltd, when you reasonably ought to have known that the said sum formed part of the proceeds of your unlawful activity to wit: Corruption and Gratification; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 as amended by Act No 1 of 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

The EFCC, after calling 16 prosecution witnesses, subsequently closed its case against the defendants. However, rather than open their defence, the defendants filed a no-case submission, which was heard on October 12, 2020.

In his ruling on November 11, 2020, Justice Saidu had discharged the first defendant, Omatsuli, saying, “I have gone through the charge preferred against the defendants as well as the evidence of all the 16 prosecution witnesses and I found no reason for the first defendant to enter the defence.”

Consequently, the EFCC vowed to appeal the discharge of the former NDCC boss. On April 13, 2022, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, upheld the appeal of the EFCC and dismissed the ruling of the trial court.

The judgment delivered by Justice Festus Obande Ogbuinya held that the ruling of the lower court dated November 11, 2020, discharging the respondent, Omatsuli, of the money laundering charges “is hereby set aside and he shall enter into his defence accordingly on the same counts.”

The Appellate Court, however, discharged Omatsuli on counts 27, 28 and 29 of the charge. In the course of the trial, Justice Saidu retired and the matter was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Osiagor.

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However, at the resumed sitting on Wednesday,counsel to the 2nd defendant, Norrison Quakers, SAN informed the court that Omatsuli was absent in court because he had an appeal pending before the Supreme Court. “The first defendant is on appeal at the Supreme Court. A no- case submission filed by the 1st defendant before the Federal High Court was upheld and EFCC appealed the decision. This decision was, however, reversed at the Appellate court and the no-case submission dismissed. The defendants were ordered to enter into their defence. Dissatisfied with the ruling of the Appeal Court, the 1st defendant appealed to the Supreme Court and the matter is yet to be determined”, he said.

He also told the court that the 1st defendant was not aware of Wednesday’s hearing because he was not represented by a counsel at the last proceedings.
Responding, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, said: “At the previous sitting, sometime in November 2023, the matter came up for arraignment, and a counsel appeared on behalf of the 1st defendant. The court then asked us to choose a date for arraignment. On that basis, I didn’t ask for a bench warrant against the defendant.”

He further told the court that “There is no stay of proceedings in the law, according to the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. The pendency of the appeal does not prevent the proceedings at the Federal High Court from going on.” While making reference to S352 of the ACJA, Iheanacho, therefore, applied for a bench warrant against Omatsuli.

Justice Osiagor disagreed with Iheanacho that the 1st defendant was aware of today’s hearing and, therefore, ordered that he be put on notice.

The case was adjourned to March 22, 2024, for re-arraignment and trial.


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Ned Nwoko Gives Reason for Clash with Regina Daniels

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Senator Ned Nwoko breaks silence on his reported marital crisis with Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, denying domestic violence allegations and alleging that drug abuse caused their dispute.
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Nigerian lawmaker and businessman, Senator Ned Nwoko, has addressed reports of a marital dispute involving him and his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, which have dominated social media in recent days.

In a viral video, Regina Daniels accused her husband of domestic violence, claiming she had fled their home due to repeated abuse. The clip has since sparked widespread reactions online.

However, Senator Nwoko has now denied the allegations, alleging that Regina has been battling substance abuse, which he claims is the root cause of their problems.

In a lengthy statement posted on Sunday, titled “Regina’s Unprovoked Carnage and Rampage in My House and in My Absence,” the senator accused the actress of violent behavior, including damaging property and assaulting domestic staff.

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“Regina was not always like this. Her current battle with drugs and alcohol abuse is the root of our problem. She must continue her rehabilitation program, or I fear for her life and safety,” he stated.

Nwoko further alleged that Regina had attacked three members of staff and destroyed cars and windows in the house, insisting that none of his other wives had ever accused him of violence.

“Regina is the violent one here,” he said. “I have set a clear condition for her to accept rehab in Asokoro or outside Nigeria, especially Jordan, where she will not have access to drugs.”

He also claimed that while he took their son, Moon, to the hospital, chaos erupted at home, allegedly involving two of Regina’s “drug suppliers,” whom he identified as “Sammy” and “Ann.”

As of press time, Regina Daniels has not publicly responded to Nwoko’s statement.

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Defence HQ Denies Coup Attempt, Says Independence Anniversary Cancellation Not Linked to Any Plot

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Defence Headquarters denies coup attempt report
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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed as false and misleading reports suggesting that the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary was connected to an alleged attempted military coup.

In a statement on Sunday, the DHQ clarified that there was no coup attempt or any plan to destabilize the country, describing the report as a fabrication aimed at causing unnecessary panic among citizens.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state categorically that the report linking the cancellation of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary to an alleged attempted military coup is false and misleading,” the statement read in part.

The military urged members of the public to disregard the rumor and cautioned media organizations and social media users against spreading unverified information capable of undermining national security.

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The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as false reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations to an alleged coup attempt, reaffirming its loyalty to democratic governance.
The Defence Headquarters has dismissed as false reports linking the cancellation of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations to an alleged coup attempt, reaffirming its loyalty to democratic governance.

The statement reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ unwavering loyalty to the Constitution and commitment to democratic governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

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Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge Empowers 578 Young Entrepreneurs, Awards ₦16 Million to 30 New Winners

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- The three winners of the Corpreneurship Challenge in Lagos pose with their cheques
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No fewer than 578 young entrepreneurs across Nigeria have benefitted from Unity Bank’s Corpreneurship Challenge the Bank’s flagship entrepreneurial development initiative launched a few years ago.

Over this period, the Bank has invested in supporting budding entrepreneurs across multiple sectors to start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The ongoing initiative recently produced 30 new winners, who received a total grant of ₦16 million during the Batch B, Stream II edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course, held across 10 states of the federation.

The winners, innovative young entrepreneurs developing solutions across various value chains such as fashion design, bag making, pastry and beverage production, event management, and vegetable farming, emerged after pitching their business ideas during the challenge at NYSC Orientation Camps in Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kwara, Benue, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, and Plateau States.

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At the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ipaja, Lagos State, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo, who pitched a soap-making enterprise, emerged the overall winner to clinch the ₦800,000 grand prize. Ndukwe Chiamaka Joan, with her innovative Small Chops business proposal, claimed ₦500,000 as first runner-up, while Barakat Modinat Olamide secured ₦300,000 to support her beverage-making venture.

A cross section of participants in the pitch competition

Expressing her excitement after emerging as the overall winner in Lagos, Fiyinfoluwa Titilayo Ojo described the experience as life-changing, stating, “I’m truly grateful to Unity Bank for this opportunity. Winning the Corpreneurship Challenge has given me the push and confidence I needed to scale my soap-making business. Beyond the grant, the experience taught me how to structure my business better and believe in its potential. It’s amazing to see a bank that genuinely invests in young people’s dreams.”

Across the remaining nine states, 27 other winners also emerged after pitching diverse business ideas ranging from fish and poultry farming to printing, piggery, and cake production.

Over the past six years, the Unity Bank Corpreneurship Challenge has become an integral part of the NYSC programme, aligning with the Federal Government’s drive to upskill young graduates and promote entrepreneurship amid the scarcity of white-collar jobs. Each edition attracts thousands of entries from corps members whose business plans are evaluated for originality, marketability, job creation potential, and overall business acumen.

Speaking during the grand finale in Lagos, Unity Bank’s Divisional Head, Retail & SME, Mrs. Adenike Abimbola, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth through enterprise. She said:

“At Unity Bank, we believe that the energy and creativity of young Nigerians are vital to the nation’s economic transformation. The Corpreneurship Challenge is our way of nurturing this potential — by giving corps members the financial boost, mentorship, and confidence to turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Seeing over 578 young entrepreneurs already impacted motivates us to keep expanding the initiative and deepening our support for the SME ecosystem.”

The Corpreneurship Challenge has earned Unity Bank national recognition for its role in youth empowerment and job creation, attracting over 2,000 applicants per edition.

In partnership with the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, the initiative continues to serve as a launchpad for youth-owned enterprises, offering grants of up to ₦800,000 to help corps members turn their business dreams into reality.

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16 Nigerian Military Officers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot to Oust President Tinubu

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16 Nigerian Military Officers Arrested Over Alleged Coup Plot to Oust President Tinubu
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At least sixteen senior military officers have been arrested by the Nigerian Armed Forces over an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration, according to top security sources.

According to Sahara Reporters Although the military publicly described the arrests as disciplinary actions linked to “failure in promotion examinations” and “career stagnation,” insiders told reporters the detained officers were accused of planning a coup d’état.

The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, confirmed the arrests but said they followed a “routine military exercise,” citing “indiscipline and breach of service regulations.”

However, intelligence gathered by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) allegedly uncovered a plot led by a Brigadier General to “seize power from selfish politicians.” The officers, ranging from Captains to senior commanders, were reportedly picked up at various military formations across the country.

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Sources added that the October 1 Independence Day parade was abruptly cancelled after authorities discovered the conspirators planned to strike during the ceremony, allegedly targeting the President and other top officials.

The detained officers are currently being held at the DIA facility in Abuja pending further investigation.

Nigeria has witnessed five successful coups since gaining independence in 1960. Analysts warn that rising reports of corruption, low morale, and political interference within the armed forces have continued to fuel discontent among some military personnel.

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I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC. – APC National Chair, Yilwatda.

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Professor Nentawe Yilwatda
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Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC. – APC National Chairman, Yilwatda.

Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), has announced that several politicians from opposing parties are planning to join the ruling APC soon.

During a meeting with Plateau APC stakeholders held at Crest Hotel in Jos yesterday, Yilwatda shared this.

He said, “Next week, I will be receiving some notable figures from the ADC.

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“Some of those who had defected from PDP have reached out to ADC and are now returning to APC. Many of them have completed their ‘medicals’ and will be officially unveiled next week.

“In another two weeks, we will unveil yet another big figure who just finished his own ‘medicals.’

“He tried to unveil himself the day before yesterday, you probably saw it in the news. But officially, we’ll be receiving him soon. More people are coming. More senators are joining; more governors, more members of the National Assembly. The APC is the bride of the moment.

“Thank you so much for all you did—from the very beginning of my loss, through the burial, and even after.May God bless and reward you richly. I must also extend my deepest gratitude for how you stood your ground when we faced the setback at the Supreme Court.

“Many people thought that was the end of APC on the Plateau; that we had been buried politically. But what they didn’t see was the seed that had already been sown.
That seed germinated, and today, APC is stronger, more vibrant and growing bigger by the day.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to warmly welcome our new members.”


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