NBC’s DG Kawu, two other arraigned over alleged N2.5b fraud – TheNigerialawyer

After series of postponements, the Federal High Court in Abuja
formally opened hearing on Thursday in the two-count criminal
charge filed against the Director General (DG) of the National
Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Dr.Is’haq Modibbo Kawu and two
others for their alleged complicity in the misapplication of
N2.5billion meant for the digital switch-over (DSO) project of the
Federal Government.

On Thursday, Kawu, who limps, but had to support himself with a
walking stick as he walked into the dock, was arraigned with the
Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited, Lucky Omoluwa and the
firm’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dipo Onifade, on the
charge.

Kawu and others pleaded not guilty to the charge, following
which their lawyers applied for bail.

Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo after standing the case down
for hours, resumed sitting around 2pm, during which she read a
ruling on the defendants’ bail applications, which she granted.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo granted bail to each of the defendant at
N100m and two sureties.

The judge, who declined to order the remand of the defendants,
directed them to perfect the bail granted them within 10 days,
failing which they could be remanded in prison custody until they
are able to meet the conditions.

Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, in granting bail to the defendants,
relied on sections 35 and 36 of the Constitution and sections 158,
159 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)
2015.

The judge ordered the two sureties must be Federal civil
servants not below Grade Level 17 and must show evidence of tax
payment within the last three years.

She said one of the sureties must reside within the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT); must own landed property in the FCT and
must deposed to an affidavit of means.

The judge, who barred the defendants from travelling abroad and
ordered them to deposit their international passports with the
court, directed the prosecution to verify the addresses of the
sureties.

She adjourned till Friday for the prosecution to commence
trial.

Earlier, after the defendants pleaded to the charge, prosecution
lawyer, Henry Emore sought to be allowed to call his witnesses for
the commencement of trial, an application lawyers to the defendants
– Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), Alex Izinyon (SAN) and A.V. Etuwewe
objected to, and proceeded to argue the defendants’ bail
applications.

Mustapha represented Modibbo, Izinyon appeared for Omoluwa and
Onifade while Etuwewe represented their firm, Pinnacle
Communications Ltd.

In the 12-count charge, the Independent Corrupt Practices and
other related offences Commission ICPC) charged Kawu and others
with abuse of office, money laundering and misleading a public
officer with the intent to defraud the federal government, in
contravention of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other
related offences Act, 2000.

In 2016, the Federal Government released N10billion to the
Ministry of Information and Culture for execution of the digital
switch-over project intended to ensure the migration of
government’s television stations to the digital platforms.

The government equally issued a White Paper, directing how the
process should be executed.

By the guidelines, two companies were nominated to handle the
process, one of which was ITS, an affiliate of the Nigerian
Television Authority (NTA).

N1.7billion was said to have been released to the firm as seed
grant for the commencement of the execution of the project.

The ICPC alleged that Kawu fraudulently recommended Pinnacle
Communications Limited, a private company, to the Minister of
Information and Culture for release of N2.5 billion against the
guidelines contained in the White Paper.

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NAHCON, NDLEA Partner towards drug-incident-free
Pilgrimage

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) commends the
effort of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for
unraveling the drug trafficking circle of criminals notorious for
planting drugs in innocent travelers’ luggage thereby implicating
them in a crime they know nothing about.

The two agencies will continue to work together in ensuring a
drug-incident-free Umrah season and Hajj 2019 period.

Thankfully, this discovery has given hope for the redemption of
Zainab Habibu Aliyu from incarceration, the young lady who pleaded
ignorance of a drug baggage tagged in her name. Consequently, the
Commission has ordered its lawyers in Saudi Arabia to compliment
efforts of the Nigerian mission in the Kingdom in securing Zainab’s
timely release back to the country.

Furthermore, the Commission, in collaboration with sister
agencies, will deploy the necessary staff and technology at Hajj
departure centers nationwide to ensure security of pilgrims and
their luggage against abuse and drug peddling in any guise.

Fatima Sanda Usara,
Head, Public Affairs Division,
NAHCON