Court rejects request to stay order for Adoke, Etete, others’ arrest‎

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has rejected
an oral application for stay of execution of the order of arrest
issued against former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF),
Mohammed Adoke, ex-Petroleum Minister, Duaziya Louya Etete a.k.a
Dan Etete and some others.

Justice Danlami Senchi, in a ruling, agreed with lawyer to the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), AliyuYusuf that
the oral application made by the defendants’ lawyer touched on the
pending application for stay of proceedings.

Instead, Justice Senchi granted accelerated hearing in the case
and adjourned till June 11 this year for hearing of pending
applications.

He further ordered that any party that needed to file any
processes must do so by June 5, 2019, and that no processes shall
be accepted after the date.

Justice Senchi had on April 17, 2019 , upon an application by
the EFCC, issued bench warrants for the arrest of Adoke, Etete and
others named in a charge filed by the anti-graft agency.

Also to be affected by the order are Ralph Wetzels, Casula
Roberto, Pujato Stefeno, and Burrato Sebastiano, who are senior
officials of multi-national oil companies – Shell Nigeria Ultra
Deep (SNUD), Nigeria Agip Exploration (NAE).

They are accused,in the charge. of alleged complicity in the
fraudulent allocation of Oil Prospecting License, OPL 245 and OPL
214.

They are also charged with conspiracy, money laundering to the
tune of over $1.2 billion; forgery of bank documents, bribery and
corruption against Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd that belongs to
Etete.

On Monday, Etete’s lawyer, L.O Ikwegwe told the court that she
had just been served with the EFCC’s counter-affidavit and will
need time to respond to it.

Joe Gadzama (SAN), who is representing the fifth, sixth and
seventh defendants told the court that he was in the same boat with
his colleagues as he was yet to see the EFCC’s counter-affidavit
and therefore, will be asking for an adjournment.

He told the court that he served the EFCC the defendant’s
affidavit since April 24, 2019, accompanied with the hearing
notice, adding that with the new issues introduced in the
counter-affidavit, he will be filing additional processes.

Gadzama urged the court to make the prosecution an undertaking
not to proceed with the arrest since there was a legal challenge to
it.

He urged the court to put the order on hold since the matter was
not heard.

Faje Opasanya (SAN), who represented the fourth defendant also
told the court that he was also constrained to ask for adjournment
as new allegations were raised in the EFCC’s counter-affidavit.

He also told the court to restrain the EFCC from carrying out
the arrest order. He stated that if by the next date his clients
were arrested, the essence of the application would have been
defeated.

Responding, Yusuf (EFCC) reminded the court that the defendants’
applications were for stay of execution of the warrant of arrest
and therefore prayed the court to reject the oral application for
the stay, a position Justice Senchi upheld.

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Nigerian Troops Rescue 54 Hostages from Boko Haram
Terrorists in Borno

Troops of 22 Brigade, Operation LAFIYA DOLE in collaboration
with local vigilantes have continued moving into the hinterland on
clearance operation to destroy Boko Haram terrorists. Consequently,
on the 11th of May 2019, troops effectively cleared Ma’allasuwa and
Yaga – Munye villages in Borno State. No encounter with Boko Haram
terrorists was made as they run away before troops’ arrival leaving
behind 54 suspected kidnapped victims. Out of the number, 29 are
grown up women and 25 are children of various ages and sex. They
have all been rescued.

Similarly, at Zari – Kasake and Jumachere villages in Damasak
general area of Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, troops
of 145 Battalion Operation LAFIYA DOLE on clearance operation
discovered and destroyed two Boko Haram terrorists’ logistics
vehicles. Deserted BHTs make up shift accommodation was also
destroyed.

Additionally, Mopol Sergeant Markus John – Personal Number – PNo
383106 was arrested at Njimtilo check point along Maiduguri –
Damaturu road in possession of 2 magazines, 146 rounds of 7.62 mm
Special ammunition and one round of Anti Aircraft Gun concealed in
his bag while on transit to Lagos State.

Recall that on the 10th of May 2019, troops of Operation LAFIYA
DOLE in conjunction with the Nigerian Police, arrested 14NA7113208
Private Paul Ojochegbe and 12NA672586 Lance Corporal Oko Eke in
possession of one disassembled AK 47 Rifle at the same N’jimtilo
checkpoint.

Nigerian Army will remain resolute in ending terrorism and other
forms of insecurities across the country, and reiterate its appeal
to the public to continue to provide useful information about
suspicious movement of terrorists/criminals wherever they are seen
hibernating in Nigeria.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
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