₦airaland Forum

Femilekan233:
its not a stolen vehicle, don't worry you will be lucky soon to get a stolen end of discussion working well for 400k,that will send you to where you belong to, chai Nigerians

That was harsh. The guy was simply saying what he could afford, and probably a novice in cars. You simply tell him the car cannot fly for that amount, and if you have a suggestion as to another vehicle for that amount, you chip it in. In business, you have got to learn to choose your words, else you'll lose money. I bet you, seeing your sort of reply alone can discourage a prospective buyer. If you like worsen things by giving me a similar reply instead of learning.

oladele00:
Help, Fcmb has refused to return my money.. Na crime to withdraw from pos again Since August 2

Kindly send a mail to cpd@cbn.gov.ng with the details of the failed transaction, and make it clear that you have contacted your bank severally, but they have failed to credit your account.

FamousMonk:
Same way one lifeless president's body will arrive daura very soon..

Yea, shortly after your mum and dad are buried together. Id*ot! Hatred will kill you las las.

FamousMonk:
About Xenophobia...
Let's quit the hypocrisy.
It is appalling..
Truth is,a typical Nigerian man doesn't care about what happened to some Nigerians in South Africa.
We are just trying to follow the trend and appear like good patriotic citizens who love each other..
Forget the posts and hate speech on twitter ,Facebook etc..
It is just for social media attention..
I repeat,as long as the killing of Nigerians do not affect the price of garri,a typical Nigerian doesn't care...
I woke up and decided to write about it too..
But I'm so sorry i cannot pretend to care when I really don't..
After the whole fracas,Nigerians will go back to their usual daily routine.
If I'm killed today,I will be buried and nobody will care.
We will post about it,empathize with the families of the victims,make it seem like we love and care about these people,but in reality,we don't ..
For me,I don't know them,and they haven't helped me in any way before so I swear,I do not care..
This is the bitter truth..
There is something fundamentally wrong with an African man's brain and way of reasoning..

F00l! What an unfortunate mindset you have. You should bury your head in shame.

allsaint2000:
If I start saving N20 from today, maybe when I am 40 years I should be able to have the money for this.

1yr = 365 days
N20 daily- 365 x 20 = N7300/year

Even if you are less than a year old now,
40 years would be- 7300 x 40= N292000

You, my friend tried, but not even close!

alphaNomega:
Wouldn't it be better to apprehend them?

These images are visible to the world and it shows how less we regard human lives in this country. Maybe because we think we are more than 200 million so we can afford to kill ourselves with reckless abandon.

Little wonder nothing is done when Nigerians are humiliated outside the country. It's not as if you are appreciated back home

Apprehend Armed Robbers armed with Ak47 assault Riffles? You think this is a movie where 2 people will point each other guns and be speaking big English? In real life, you get wasted in a second. Grow up and stop wailing bro, applaud the right thing for once!

BACKGROUND:

It’s no longer news that Africa is known and attributed to witchcraft. At one point in Benin city, Edo state Nigeria, witches almost hosted an international witchcraft summit. Have you ever inquired, if it was an offense to openly declare yourself as a witch? Or if it’s illegal to be endue with the power of witchcraft? Ignorance of the law will not avail you in the court of law. See the Latin maxim: lgnorantia legis neminem excusat.

Any time there is an open confession or a witch is apprehended, there is always a hue and cry for jungle justice. In such circumstances, we often hear words like “kill her ! Kill her! She must be put to death! that witch must dieee!!!.

Unfortunately, we forget so soon that the so called “witch” is a citizen of Nigeria and entitled to the fundamental rights enshrined in chapter IV of the 1999 constitution as amended 2018 and thus must not be subjected to jungle justice.

Notwithstanding, have you ever be molested or attacked by a witch? If your answer is in the affirmative, then this article will assist you in knowing where and how to bring them to book in the Law court in Nigeria.

DEFINITION:

A witch is defined by Oxford Advanced American Dictionary as “a woman who is believed to have magic powers, especially to do evil things. In stories, she usually wears a black, pointed hat and flies on a broomstick.”

Similarly, the Merriam Webster dictionary defines a witch as “one that is credited with usually malignant supernatural powers.”

PRINCIPLE:

The law is trite that one can neither sue nor secure conviction against a person for an offense which is not contained in a written law. See Aoko. V. Fagbemi [1961] ANLR 400.

Section 216 (a) of the Penal code law of Northern Nigeria provides: “whoever by his statement or actions represents himself to be a witch or to have the power of witchcraft;… shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.”

PROPER VENUE:

Any Magistrate court, Area court and Upper Area Court in the northern part of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory is a proper venue for commencing an action against a witch in that the penal code is applicable only in this region as opposed to the Southern, Western and Easter part of Nigeria where criminal code is in operation.

I am of the opinion that lack of jurisdiction will not avail an accused person ( witch) who confessed in other part of the country where witchcraft is not an offence but admit his mischievous actions were carried out against the complainant in the geographical location ( Northern Nigeria ) where it is deemed as an offence.

MODE OF COMMENCEMENT:

Just like any other criminal action in the northern part of Nigeria, an action against a witch can be instituted by :

(a) First Information Report; or

(b) Direct Criminal Complaint ( This second mode is applicable in other northern part of Nigeria except the FCT)

HOW TO SECURE JUDGMENT AGAINST A WITCH:

Preparation.
Knowing fully well you are prosecuting a witch, you must get ready for counter -attack from the colleagues of the witch ( Co-witches)… You must prepare both spiritually (prayer & fasting) and legally ( be armed with the relevant sessions of the 1999 constitution as amended 2018, Evidence Act 2011, Penal Code, ACJA/ ACJL or CPC depending on the jurisdiction and your credible witness(es) if any.

Presentation.
Your evidence or submission must be conducted logically and convincingly, bearing in mind that the burden of proof lies on you. Therefore, ensure you prove your case beyond reasonable doubt taking into consideration the weight of evidence in your disposal as failure to establish the guilt of the witch would lead to his or her acquittal. See Section 139 of the Evidence Act 2011 and FRN v. Mohammed YARO & Anor (2012) 3 iLAW/SC.283/2015

In the event of proving your case via circumstantial evidence, same must therefore be unequivocal and must have probative value. This is because, the law is trite, that where the circumstantial evidence is not conclusive or is capable of having two interpretations of showing the innocence of the accused and at the same time of his guilt.

In such situation, the court must cast benefit of doubt in his favour to exonerate and acquit him. See STATE vs K Rs1957)s FSC 83; LORI v STATE (1980)11 SC 81; IJIOFOR v STATE (2001)3 NWLR (pt.690)55 and KINGSLEY OMOREGIE VS. THE STATE (SC. 334/2012)[2017] NGSC 20 (2 JUNE 2017) 255

It is worthy of note that not until witches in Africa are brought to book by constitutional means, the rate of witchcraft activities and “jungle justice” would abound. Why don’t you explore this innovation and be the first to institute an action against that ” witch” in the court.

For more info or questions, feel free to call me on 08167951106 or via f.e.onofua@gmail.com

Source:

https://lawyersng.com/general/2019-07/how-to-sue-and-secure-judgment-against-a-witch-in-nigeria-----felix-onofua-139927/

Liliyann:
This proud modafucker Money, he no get Famous, he isn't Anytime you see him, he will be carrying his shoulders high! Dem for don sign am since if not for his stupid alpha male bullshit.

Teddy A, we know. Who are you?

OhiOfIhima:
People like you will still come n shout marginalization in the end.. Is Nigeria working d way it should be. If you keep on appointing people who their families has made names in juicy position, is dat ideal? Keep in ranting n feel settled to continue be a slave to the riches.

Nah, rather than wailing and shouting "marginalisation" all over the internet, I'd rather make a name for myself so my children will also have an advantage. Bro, this hate will take you nowhere(no offence meant)...Just double your hustle, and pray for Grace, so you'll attain a height that your name alone will open doors for your loved ones. When you get there(and I pray you do), I sincerely hope that nobody will refuse your child a position he/she merits just because you(their parents) succeeded in life.

I've never met you before, so this isn't personal. I just do believe that you need to work on your mindset, and you'll be just fine. I wish you the very best.

kings09:
And APC is doing what?

4years after, una still de blame PDP.

Bro biko who is to be blamed for PDP's decision to turn their building funds into yams like they did to every other funds they've come in contact with? APC? You? I? Please answer, no vex.

OhiOfIhima:
All in all, it still man who know man or elite privilege. Is she the only person who attain that quality from that region why not a choose from less known family.


Nigeria is a scam!

Please don't let hate kill you someday. So because she's from a rich family, she should be denied a job that she obviously qualifies for? Do you even know how societies work? If you don't have a cogent reason why you think she doesn't merit the position, please just STFU. Let's learn to think objectively instead of making utterances clouded with sentiments. You're just jealous for not being as privileged as the young girl is.

I wish her the best in life...

BETPAWA:
Christians I beg I need 500k to start a piggery farm. Let Jesus direct someone to help my life, I beg

Sorry bro, you're begging the wrong audience. Even if you are dying of hunger by the roadside, they will pass over you and give their pastors the money to fuel their astonishingly expensive lifestyle, with the hope of bribing a God that they've been made to believe needs more and more money to bless them. Zombiesm at its best!

Mehn! Whoever came up with this whole idea of religion is the greatest strategist to ever exist! Works perfectly! Multi-trillion dollar industry. Tax free!

MiddleDimension:
since you are keen on learning, i want you to take it as a new fact today that there are Idoma people from Nasarawa state! you just made me go back to check a friend's wedding invitation.

he is from Nasarawa state and not Doma, but Idoma! they speak the Agatu accent and of course, the Agatu LGA of Benue state shares boundary with their part of Nasarawa state. they are an extteme minority! he is not an Agatu who now claims Nasarawa, but his ancestoral VILLAGE is in Nasarawa state. they live just at the other bank of the river benue to the north. and if you are familiar with the geography around that area, Agatu in Benue also has boundary with the river Benue.

now coming back to the names i agree such names among the christians are found more among the older generation who are at least 50 and above. the idoma muslims still continue to bear that name even up till today, for obvious reasons, ofcourse.

but i disagree completely when you say they were given those names by parents and grand parents who were only naming their children after their friends when they lived in the far north. while that may be the case for some people, it is different for others. the people i know who bear those names did not live at anytime in the far norrth. its just that in the past the people around the north central did not discriminate very much between christianity and islam. the division we see in those religions today, did not exists in those days. so they never found it awkward giving their children muslim names. the christian did not have the sort of feeling he now has towards islam and think that naming his child Musa, Sule, Amodu, Ademu etc was some kind of a misnorma and a mockery of ''who they now are in christ Jesus''. and the only reason you see that trend changing today is because of the political and religious issues going on at present in the North Central, which has lead to an inceeased sense of seperateness in particularly those ethnic groups in the Benue-Plateau.

and as for the market days, it will also interest you to know that the Yoruba people of Osun state also have the Ede as a market day! and the pronounce the Ede the same way the Idoma pronounce it. so what do we say about this, that the Idoma and Yoruba people are siblins?

alot if Idoma words have Hausa/Arabic etymology. so if there is a deluded Biafran out there who insists on claiming an Idoma people who do not want to be part of a Biafra, by saying Idoma is a sub-group of Igbo because they share some names, words and market day, then let them also look at the similar words the Idoma also share with the Hausa and alby extension, Arabic. they should also look at the ceremonial wear of the Och'Idoma and tell me if it looks anything in Igbo land.

This, most certainly isn't about a Biafran claiming the idomas, as it is not the issue in contention here, and I definitely never mentioned that I was speaking from the Biafran angle, because I was not. I'm not Igbo. Well, in as much as disagree with some of your submissions, it certainly was insightful reading your view, and the time you put into the reply is surely appreciated. Thank you bro.

MiddleDimension:
they are not 'close' to the easterners! apart from having boundary with enugwu and ebonyi and maybe sharing some names, nothing really much!

i really wonder why the igbo are so hell bent on claiming some kind of siblin closeness with the Idoma! why not Igede? why not tiv? why not Igala? why not Ezaa people in the eastern state of Ebonyi? WHY IDOMA?!

for your information, the Idoma people also bear the Hausa/Islamic names like Yakubu, Sule, Fayeed. and no, i am not talking about the muslims among them!

let us also remember that they also share boundary with Kogi, Nassarawa (actually, some Idoma people are from Nassarawa), and Tiv people.

Foremost is the issue of the names. The few hausa names amongst idomas originated from parents and grandparents that grew up in the core north, who named their kids after friends. We have similar occurrences across the country. Of course, with Benue at the north central, that is bound to happen a lot.

Secondly, there are no idomas from Nassarawa state. What we have there are the Domas around Nassarawa eggon. Historically, they were together at some point before migration. Today, we have some in parts of crossriver state, Kogi and a few other places.

Then back to the similarities, it will interest you to note that aside the names, there are many cultural similarities, ranging from market days(Afo, Nkwo, Eke and Ede) I'm sure the Igbos have the first two. marriage and burial rights, dance and music(okpachina and the ogene), masquerades, (almost identical) and of course the geographical location, sharing boundaries with chunks of Enugu and Ebonyi states. There is also the love of Catholicism and palm wine, amongst many other things...all these are totally different from what is obtainable in the core north. I should know because I grew up in the North west, but my mom is idoma, and I do visit her place a lot.

To set the record straight, this isn't me trying to win an argument, because I don't believe there is one. Someone from this forum will learn a thing or two from this, so I'm satisfied, as that is the true position of things. As a people, we always love to see the things that separates us, while in the process, failing to see our similarities, staring right at our faces.

I'd love to learn more, if there are new facts you have to disclose.

1Sharon:
These Hausa people have come again.

Travel, you refused. Keep an open mind, you refused...so that's how knowledge will continue to evade you.

I know you will still not listen, but let me attempt to educate you. There are no indigenous hausas from Benue. The state consists mainly of the Tivs, idomas and Igedes... The idomas for instance that consists of a third of the state are more similar to the easterners than the north. The North Central is actually a very interesting region. Very diverse. Calm your head, travel, and read. Only that way can you learn...and trust me there are a whole Lotta things you are yet to learn about this beautiful country.

God bless Nigeria.

Joshmodest:
I'm sorry didn't read it but I know it's a lawma material....

Kindly change that closing to For : All senseless Nigerian youths .
Jah bless

Cowards hiding under anonymity to spill trash.
Of course you wouldn't read it. Reading scares the hell outta Lazy folks who'd rather eat off peeps who worked hard to earn a living. I hope you get caught someday dude, and pay for your evil actions. You are so wrong and you know it. Pride wouldn't just let you take down that unfortunate comment, and someday, it will be your undoing...someone will wipe off all you ever worked for in the blink of and eye, and only then will you understand this thing called Karma.

Now, f*ckoff my mention and go reconsider your life choices. It will do you more good I can assure you.

Joshmodest:
To be candid fraud ain't right, and no one is expecting Simi to come out and say it is , but as a public figure there are things , you shouldn't talk about , especially for a secular musician like herself....There is nothing wrong in acting like you don't know it exists , Davido and Wizkid the big guys would never say a thing about fraud !! Cos they really don't have to , they are musicians and not moralists , thier job is to make good music and that's all , when an artist begins to talk about issues beyond music he/she is loosing focus.....
As an artist you don't talk about sensitive issues like drug dealings , LGBT , religion , and in Nigeria Yahoo....
What is wrong is wrong but sometimes certain issues are better left untouched for your interest and well-being... prior to her post nobody knew or wanted to know her stance on fraud !

Dude you're either a fraudster or an aspiring fraudster, and so is everyone that liked your unfortunate comment. This is the mentality that has kept us where we are as a nation. Fornication for instance is an issue of morality. Morally wrong, but not a crime. Fraud on the other hand is a crime in every damn country on the face of the earth, and should be openly discouraged by everyone who has a platform to do so. Bunch of lazy youths that have chosen to prey off people that have worked their a** off to make legitimate money. You should bury your head in shame bro. Next time you have an unfortunate opinion such as this, please do keep it to yourself.

Thanks you.

Signed
Myself
For: All sensible Nigerian youths.

damoobaba:
The ones Nigerian pastors are building are not even as magnificent as the ones that people like Solomon built in the bible.

...and of course you can easily see the similarities between them and Don Solo. The love of material things and multiple beautiful women.

Donald95:
Buhari is a disaster but Daft Nigerians can't see it. This is another 4 + 4 sign celebration

This is outcome of a woman fuc.king more than one man at a time. The hunger was too much on the Alamajiri lady that some touts offered her 500h for 3some.

My happiness with this next level is that Awusa puci will be cheaper than ever b4.

Where the heck is your humanity? Shame on you bro...and to everyone that liked that comment, shame on y'all.

We are humans before we Christians/Muslims or PDP/APC supporters. Don't let your bitterness make you hate on this innocent little child with this malformation.

Doctors, over to you guys. I pray this baby turns out fine.

WinningEleven:
who is this he goat?
A pot calling a kettle black. You say she goes around insulting men, so what was your reaction to that? You're no different from the feminist you bash. You form alpha male online and then go offline and use money to beg ladies in order to get laid. Idiot

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Linda Ikeji's Nairaland Moniker... Pretending to be a guy.

The truth hurts sometimes. Don't fight it.

Firefire:
Why not simply ask Mr. Jubrin Buhary to come to TV and address Nigerians?

Lol. You said someone is fake, what is he supposed to do? Does he have a stored DNA somewhere that he is supposed to pick up, and do a test on National TV for you see if it corresponds? If that is even done, you won't still believe, because you will question the rationale for storing the DNA in the first place and dispute its authenticity.

Even if the man comes to your house to address you, that hate in you won't make you see reason... That's why he doesn't send you at all... Keep hating and dying inside for all he cares, while he remains at the villa...Come 2019, you will be shocked... He will still win. You guys have hated the guy from the beginning, and you will hate him to the end, and he knows that, so there is no need wasting precious time explaining anything to you...

Be typing Jibril up and down here while you probably don't even have a PVC.

JIBRIL TILL 2023! Haters please keep hating.

ajalawole:
this man don fat...??

Lol. Seriously. Haters just be hating, the man no even send, he just dey fresh dey go.

Lol. See painment everywhere. Pipu hating on what they can't have. Congrats girl. Wishing her a successful career ahead.

SarkinYarki:
Na wa oo yet wicked Buhari is still alive ..me no even understand this world sef

Yea, he'll die shortly after your father... and your mother. Bitter F00l.

OboOlora:
When I saw ‘undergoes’, I thought the next thing would be ‘unsuccessful surgery’.

Mschewww!

Same unsuccessful surgery that your mother will soon undergo. Bitter f00l.

Colourich:
There is something about lawyers that piss me off. Even law students when I was in school feel like they've made it when we all know that most of them will end up to be hungry charge and bail lawyers in a kangaroo court, so much pride...

I once had this lawyer friend that felt he is doing me a favour being in my life, I actually bulshit him, dafuq is wrong these folks?

Hahaha... This one is pained... Probably some Lawyer-wannabe that didn't get admitted. Keep hating while they have the edge over you now and in the future. Total self confidence is something that comes naturally when you know who you are and that shouldn't be mistakened for pride.

I must study that course someday.

MicheyJ1:
Aboki would always look for ways to cause violence

Heartless son of a B. This is what happens when you stay in your small cage and don't travel out. Benue for your information is the home to the Tivs, Idomas and Igedes. No Hausas...and the school in question is a Federal university with students from all over the country. By the way, they protested over the avoidable death of their colleagues... I'm sure that in their shoes, you'll run away like the p*ssy that you are. It is unfortunate that you let your shallow and poor upbringing allow you to make such an insensitive comment as this. Now gehrara here and stay in school.

…..I am a victim, deceived by my bank– Dariye tells court.

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu, Abuja, on Tuesday sentenced a former Governor of Plateau State and serving senator, Joshua Dariye, to 14 years’ imprisonment on charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of overN1.16bn belonging to the state.

Justice Adebukola Banjoko ‎in a judgment which took her six and a half hours to read convicted the ex-governor on 15 out the 23 counts preferred against him.

The judge barely a fortnight ago, imposed 14 years’ jail term on ex-Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, on similar charges.

On Tuesday she sentenced ‎Dariye to two years imprisonment on each of the five counts bordering on criminal misappropriation and 14 years’ jail term on each of the 11 counts of criminal breach of trust.

The judge, however, ruled that all the sentences would run concurrently, implying that the convict would have to spend 14 years in jail.

The punishments imposed on the ex-governor for the two categories of offences of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation are the maximum as provided under sections 315 and 309 of the Penal Code Act, respectively.

The judge threw out eight of the 23 charges on the grounds of either duplicity or lack of sufficient evidence.

‎Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had in opposing the defence lawyer’s plea for mercy, urged the court to impose the maximum sentence to serve as deterrence to others.

“My lord should consider the conduct of the defendant who has stalled his trial since June 2007. Is he remorseful about what he has done? He is not! He has not shown any remorse. He still believes that he has not done anything wrong.

“The prisons are congested with the poor and those that cannot afford their daily meal, but the big men are not there!”.

Jacob’s urged the court to give a sentence capable of serving as a deterrent to other public office holders.

Irked by the submission, Dariye challenged EFCC’s lawyer, accusing him of deliberately inciting the court to take severe decision against him.

“You are not God! Your name is Jacob, as a Christian you should have mercy! You cannot predict my state of mind. Let’s not spoil tomorrow because of today. Can you raise your hand to swear there is a saint in Nigeria?”, Dariye bellowed from the dock.

In her verdict, Justice Banjoko said she was not persuaded by Dariye’s claim of being a victim.

Decrying what she termed as “brazen act of systematic looting” while the defendant held sway as the defendant, the Judge noted that Dariye was at a point, richer than his state.

While the court sentenced the defendant to 2years imprisonment on each of the counts bordering on misappropriation, he was handed 14 years for the counts involving criminal breach of trust.

The court held that the sentence would run concurrently, even as it directed EFCC to return all the funds it recovered in the course of the investigation into the coffers of Taraba State.

The court had earlier in the judgment that lasted over six hours, noted that following a Mutual Legal Assistance Request from the Metropolitan Police in London, it was uncovered that Dariye sequentially laundered funds from Nigeria into National West Ministers Bank in the United Kingdom, using an account he opened in the name of a fictitious firm.

It observed that a former detective with the Met Police, Mr. Peter Clarke who testified as the ninth prosecution witness, PW-9, during the trial, disclosed that Dariye wired funds from an account the fictitious firm- Ebenezer Rednar Ventures- operated with All States Trust Bank in Nigeria, into nine separate accounts he opened at Barclays Bank in London.

Clarke who led a team of Met police officers that arrested Dariye on September 28, 2004, had informed the court that a warrant of arrest that was issued against the ex-governor after he jumped bail in London and ran back to Nigeria to escape being prosecuted on money laundering charges, was still valid.

Justice Banjoko held that evidence before the court confirmed huge outflow of funds from the Plateau State treasury, into accounts Dariye operated with All States Bank and Lion Bank (now Diamond Bank), using the name of the fictitious firm.

Describing circumstances that surrounded the opening of the accounts as suspicious, as no picture was used in the opening mandate, the court stressed that signature of the ex-governor appeared in four places on the account opening documents.

It noted that admittance by All States Bank that it granted the defendant waiver to operate the account without the required mandate picture, led to prosecution and conviction of some of its key officials.

Justice Banjoko held that forensic analysis confirmed that signatures on the account operated in the name of Ebenezer Rednar Ventures belonged to Dariye.

She said the account was opened on December 19, 1999, without proper documentation and with false and untraceable address, observing that Dariye had in his statement before the London Police and the EFCC, admitted that Ebenezer is the name of one of his children.

“As at the time the account was opened on December 19, 1999, the defendant was still the governor of Plateau State. Wrong account opening form were used, details were falsified, all in a bid to conceal the identify of the true owner of the account”, the court held.

It noted that one Daniel Haruna who was the second signatory to the said account which was opened as if it belonged to an individual but operated as a corporate account, could not be located.

The court maintained that Dariye was “the face behind the mask” that operated the account, stressing that the defendant, being as a public servant, was not permitted by law to operate a foreign account.

“The court is satisfied that Ebenezer Rednar Ventures and Chief Dariye are one and the same person. The defendant is adequately capable of answering to any charge against the firm”.

Though Dariye had in two applications dated May 7 and June 7, 2001, used Plateau State to apply for a total of N3billion from the ecological fund, only about N1bn was approved for him.

The ex-governor was said to have personally collected the cheque from the Central Bank of Nigeria, on July 12, 2001.

EFCC, through its witnesses, told the court that the N1.126bn ecological fund meant for reclamation and rechannelization, was diverted into different private accounts by the defendant.

While reviewing the proof of evidence that was laid before the court, Justice Banjoko observed that the sum of N280m from the fund was said to have been shared to three beneficiaries, among whom included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who
allegedly received N100m through his firm, Marine Float.

A former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu was said to have also received N10m, even as EFCC told the court that whereas the money that was given to the ex-VP was for the North East wing of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the defendant equally donated N100m each to the South West and South East wings of the party on July 20, 2001, as well as N66m to the Plateau State chapter of the party to be shared to all the 274 wards in the state.

The anti-graft agency told the court that the N100m which was sent to PDP South West through a then Minister of Special Duties, Dr. Yomi Edu, was subsequently returned to Plateau State by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

While EFCC alleged that the defendant used N250m to purchase a property in London in September 2001 through the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications, Dariye however claimed that the fund was used to refurbish TV and Radio stations in the state.

Besides, Dariye was said to have bribed one Dr. Nkuma who was a Permanent Secretary at the Ecological fund office with N80m to facilitate the release of the fund to him.

Justice Banjoko held that Dariye failed to adduce any reasonable explanation for the funds he released to the ex-VP and the PDP.

The court said it was satisfied that Dariye was giulty of dishonest missaprropriation and criminal breach of trust.

It noted that out of the total ecological fund, only N550m was paid into the coffers of Plateau State following a hand written instruction the defendant gave to All States Trust Bank which he used to clear the cheque from CBN.

Though the court held that EFCC could not establish that Dariye used N250m to acquire a flat in London, it however found the defendant guilty of illegally using funds meant for ecological project for other purpose.

The Met Police had through its ex-investigator, Clarke, told the trial court that Dariye was arrested with his personal assistant, Christabel Bentu, in a hotel in London.

Clarke said Dariye’s arrest and subsequent detention was a fallout of an investigation into a credit card fraud involving one Christopher McQuiney who he said was caught with 11, 500.00 pounds concealed in a brief case.

The former Met investigator told the court that McQuiney, who was arrested and taken to a police station in North East London, confessed that the money belonged to his boss, Dariye.

Dariye’s request for Clarke to be recalled to the witness box during his defence was declined by the court.

EFCC closed its case against the defendant after it called 10 witnesses that testified before the court, even as the defendant called a total of 16 witnesses to defend the charge against him.

Dariye had earlier lost his bid to disqualify Justice Banjoko from presiding over his trial.

He had in a petition to the Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello, alleged that the trial judge had on several occasions, openly exhibited “manifest and undisguised bias’’ against him.

Aside asking Justice Banjoko to disqualify herself from further presiding over the trial, the defendant prayed the CJ to transfer the case-file to another court, a request that was refused.

Dariye had also failed to persuade both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to quash the charge against him.


Source:

http://thenigerialawyer.com/updated-court-sentences-ex-plateau-gov-dariye-to-14-years-in-prison-on-15-out-of-23-counts/