News
N43.5m Embezzlement Case: Drama As Accused, Mr Fatuyi Philips Claims He Too Was Defrauded
•As Fatuyi Philips claims being defrauded by one Olumide Adegbite
The Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Fatuyi Yemi Philips, on Friday, June 16, 2023, began his defence before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Philips is answering questions to a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N43,502,000.00 as slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking while being led in evidence by his counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, the defendant stated that he gave one Olumide Adegbite the sum of $100,000 for exchange because the latter had informed him that he had connections with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and could help in accessing preferential exchange rate.
Drama, however, ensued when the prosecution lawyer, O. S Owede, raised an objection and informed Justice Dada that the NOGASA boss was reading from a prepared script.
The paper, from where Philips had drafted account numbers and figures, was then shown to the presiding judge who thereafter allowed the defendant to continue with its usage.
After two hours of Philips’ testimony, the defence team stopped its defence and Justice Dada adjourned the matter until October 10 and 12, 2023 for continuation of defence.
It would be recalled that the absence of Ajanaku, counsel to the NOGASA helmsman, had at the last hearing of the matter stalled the case from continuing.
Before this time, the anti-graft agency had, after presenting its fifth and last witness on March 30, 2023, closed its case and the same was adjourned for defence.
The NOGASA boss, who was first arraigned on April 7, 2022, is standing trial alongside Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.
Count one reads: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43, 502,000.00 from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false”.
Count two reads: “Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about the 28th day of September 2016 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43, 502,000.00, property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited”.
But he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
While being led in evidence by counsel for the EFCC, O. S Owede, the prosecution’s last witness, who is a Bureau De Change operator, Musa Mohammed, narrated how he got to know the defendant and the business transaction that they engaged in.
The witness had particularly informed the court as to how sometime in September 2016, the defendant met him and gave him $40,000 cash to help him change.
However, during the last proceedings on the criminal charge, there was no representation for the defendant, as the counsel for the prosecution informed the court that his attention was called to a letter sent by the defence counsel, Ajanaku, as to the prior notification that he would not be present in court.
According to Owede, “This morning, my attention was drawn to a letter from the defence counsel that he would not be in court, today”.
The anti-graft agency’s lawyer, however, observed that he saw the defence counsel fully robed in the court, “yet he claimed that he has not been to the office this week”.
Owede added, “My lord, to further amplify his mischief, he refused to suggest a date and the reason is not far-fetched, it is so that when we take a date, he’ll say oh it’s not convenient, but we’ll reluctantly oblige him”.
Lagos State Government has issued a 48 hours ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers, Lagos Island to evacuate.
The State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property, Ikoyi Towers.
The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprise of three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.
Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.
According to him, “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”
The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time inorder to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.
One of the occupants, who simply identified himself as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.
According to Abubakar,”The agent collected N200, 000, one off rent from each of the occupant, numbering hundreds of us.
“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy.”
A Nigerian man identified as Israel Joe, has revealed how his friend, Roseline, died after she was pushed into a boiling pot of fresh pepper and tomatoes by her two female friends in Sapele, Delta State.
Joe stated that Roseline, a caterer, went on a trip with her friends to Sapele for a catering job where she tragically passed away on Saturday, April 13.
In a Facebook post on Friday, Joe said that before her untimely death, Roseline confided in him about two of her friends who were treating her coldly.
He urged the Nigeria Police to investigate and arrest the killers of Roseline, pointing out that no progress has been made in the case since her murder.
Joe’s post read, “She was pushed into a big boiling pot of fresh pepper and tomatoes by her friend on Saturday, 13th April. She battled for about two weeks with her roasted/boiled body and finally ḍíęɗ last week Friday 26th April.
“Nobody in the neighborhood in Otokutu knew Roseline had been allegedly kíIIed by these same friends. She was buried with no one to bid her goodbye and with no single bųríaI poster to honour her. Just two days in the morgue, the mørtųarƴ attendants demanded she be carried away to be buried.
“She traveled with them for a catering job in Sapele where they were speaking their local language with this Yoruba girl, Rozzy, not understanding their conversation.
“All of a sudden, she landed in a very big pot of boiling fresh pepper and tomatoes where they even still delayed in rescuing her. She was later rushed to Sage Hospital by Estate in Warri, where they managed the situation, but my friend couldn’t make it.”
Joe said he was pained that those responsible for her death were still walking free.
He added, “What pains me is that these two girls are still walking and gallivanting everywhere like nothing happened. I hate intimidation and oppression, especially against non-indigenous persons. The police must smoke them out so they can face the law. Na God dey help who nor get helper.
E“We shall fight for Rozzy. You can not just be kíIIęɗ like a chicken and bųřried like an aŋímąl. Nobody deserves such a hørribIe dęąth. We never got to meet Rose, only chatting on Facebook due to endless busy schedules only to see you, at the most disgusting sight at Sage Hospital, hoping for your recovery, but dęąțĥ stole you Justice shall prevail, including if you would be exhumed.”
Naziru Idris Yau, a journalist with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), has been hit by a stray bullet inside the government house in Kano state.
TheCable understands that the incident occurred around 6:30pm on Friday during an event to mark the World Press Freedom Day.
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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.
She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others
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