NDLEA DISMANTLES ABUJA DRUG BUNKS, ARRESTS 132, RECOVERS 220KG ILLICIT SUBSTANCES. (PHOTOS). #PRESS RELEASE.

Image
 NDLEA dismantles Abuja drug bunks, arrests 132, recovers 220kg illicit substances  -Marwa hails operation, vows to sustain crackdown in FCT, other states  In a non-stop two-week offensive action against traffickers and dealers, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled several drug joints and bunks within and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja where a total of 132 suspects were arrested and 220 kilograms of assorted illicit substances recovered. The wel-coordinated raids jointly conducted by the Agency's Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) and the FCT Strategic Command from llth to 25th April 2026 were launched to dismantle illicit drug hubs contributing to substance abuse, trafficking, and associated criminal activities in the capital city after weeks of intelligence and surveillance across all identified hotspots. Areas where notorious drug joints were raided, dismantled and suspects...

N240M FRAUD: COURT OF APPEAL UPHOLDS CONVICTION OF SENATOR BASSEY AKPAN, ORDERS HIS ARREST.(PHOTOS).#PRESS RELEASE.



N240m Fraud: Court of Appeal Upholds Conviction of Senator Bassey Apkan, Orders His Arrest


The Calabar Division of the Court of Appeal, on Friday, June 23, 2023 upheld the conviction of Senator Bassey Albert Akpan on money laundering charges by a Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and ordered his arrest.


Justice Agatha Okeke had on December 1, 2022, found Senator Akpan, then governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, guilty of seven-counts of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and sentenced him to 42 years imprisonment, without an option of fine.


Akpan was prosecuted on allegation of receiving vehicles valued at N240 million as bribe from companies linked to one Olajide Omokore, a contractor who executed a N3Billion contract for the Government of Akwa Ibom State whilst Senator Bassey was Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee. The offence contravenes Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and is punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.


However, dissatisfied with the judgment, Senator Akpan on December 29, 2022, approached a Vacation Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, presided over by Justice S. I. Mark of the Federal High Court and secured a post-conviction bail on health grounds. But upon release from prison, Senator Akpan continued with his campaign to be governor of Akwa Ibom State and subsequently approached the Appellate Court in Calabar, to set aside the judgment of Justice Okeke.


While arguing against the appeal, counsel to the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho urged the Court to uphold the judgment of the lower court, dismiss the appeal and revoke the said bail granted to Senator Bassey on the grounds that “the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and the charge was validly filed”.


Delivering judgment today, the three-man panel of the Appellate Court, led by Justice Raphael Chikwe Agbo, upheld the conviction of Senator Akpan but varied the sentence by granting the appellant an option of fine. 


The Court also affirmed that the appellant should restitute the sum of N240 million to the Federal Government through the EFCC and that the said restitution shall not be a prerequisite for his release from the correctional facility.


 The Court finally revoked the bail and ordered the arrest of Senator Akpan.  

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SHAKIRA COVERS WOMEN'S HEALTH MAGAZINE,APRIL ISSUE.

THE NEW OONI OF ILE-IFE,WILL NOT EAT THE HEART OF THE LATE OONI-PALACE CHIEFS.

INNOSON GIVES OUT BRAND NEW IVM G5 AND SALARY FOR LIFE TO THE MAN WHO PROPHESIED ABOUT HIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURING IN 1979.(PHOTO).