Day: May 27, 2024

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has slammed an Abuja property developer, Cecil Osakwe, over sharp practices, nullifying an earlier ruling of an FCT High Court in favour of Osakwe.

The Court of Appeal unanimously upturned a previous judgment of Justice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court which directed Osakwe, the Chief Executive Officer of Abeh Signatures Ltd. to refund N150 million to an investor, Ms Asabe Waziri.

The appellate court also slammed a fine of N500,000 against Osakwe.

The fine is to be paid to Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. Ltd (NNPCL), who reportedly bought a luxury apartment from Osakwe.

The three-man appellate court, headed by Justice Hamma Barka, vacated the high court’s ruling, describing the judgment as devoid of credible evidence and constituting a miscarriage of justice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCT High Court had on Feb. 17, 2022, delivered a judgment, ordering Waziri to vacate the two-bedroom property she bought from Osakwe.

The prope
rty is located in Maitama, an up-market district of the FCT.

However, dissatisfied with the high court judgment, Waziri, through her lawyer, Mr Henry Eni-Otu, appealed the ruling.

Osakwe had in 2022 approached the lower court, asking for contract revocation in the sale of two luxury apartments, citing what he described as the mode of payment of N150 million by Waziri, the buyer.

The controversial developer had claimed that Waziri’s mode of payment in the transaction contravened the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.

He also claimed that the buyer made a cash payment of $40,000.00 and bank transfers worth $100,000.00 through a bureau de change.

The developer also alleged that Waziri presented herself as a businesswoman, whereas she is a civil servant working with the NNPCL.

Subsequently, Osakwe offered to pay back the money earlier paid to him for the apartments in his bid to recover the apartments earlier sold to Waziri.

But Waziri had denied the claims made by Osakwe, saying that she only paid $5
,000 from the N130 million agreed on the transaction and that Osakwe requested that he needed dollars.

She also presented evidence of all the transfers made to the property developer’s accounts.

Delivering judgment in the appeal, marked CA/ABJ/CV/246/2022, the three-man appellate court held that the judgment of the lower court was not supported by credible evidence.

The appellate court held that the trial court judge veered off the track in his reasoning and occasioned a miscarriage of justice.

‘It is trite law that a party seeking declarative reliefs must establish his entitlement to such reliefs, based on the strength of the case and is not entitled to rely on the weakness of the case of the respondents, unless such weakness aids his case.

‘The facts forming the respondent’s case before the lower court were contained in the affidavit in support of the originating summons.

‘The appellant as defendant filed a counter-affidavit and therein sought to clarify all the material allegations made by the respon
dent in his affidavit in support to the originating summons.

‘In particular with respect to the allegations of cash payments of $40,000 was part of the cost of building, thus offending the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

According to the justices, the defendant vehemently denied the averment, posting further that the only money she paid in dollars was $5,000 in cash made to the alter ego of the respondent on request.

‘Surprisingly, on all the exhibits attached to the affidavit in support of the originating summons, none mentioned the fact of payment of $40,000 in cash in satisfaction of the sale agreement.”

They argued further that in the same vein, the allegation of the identity of the appellant which the respondent relied upon as a ground to vitiate the concluded transaction was not substantiated with the appellant having joined issues on those facts.

‘It behoves the respondents to lay facts of proof in support of those allegations.

‘The respondent, apart from mere allegations m
ade, failed to sustain it by producing tangible evidence to back up the assertion.

‘On the contrary, the appellant not only controverted the allegations but went further to supply evidence through e-mail exchanges, details of accounts and evidence of payment to debunk allegations pertaining to her identity.

‘It is clear that the respondent, having benefited more from the transaction, seeks to vitiate the contract possibly to further benefit from it.

‘I agree with the appellant’s counsel that the appeal is destined for success and should be allowed.

‘Hence, having resolved all issues in favor of the appellant, this appeal succeeds and is hereby allowed.

‘The judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in suit No: CV/2435/2021, delivered on February 17, 2022, is hereby set aside and all actions taken consequent to the said judgment also stand vacated.

‘The appellant is entitled to costs assessed at N500,000 Appeal is allowed,’ the Court of Appeal justices held.

On Feb. 17, 2022, J
ustice Othman Musa of the FCT High Court in his judgment, ordered that the Maitama properties be reverted to Osakwe.

He also ordered Osakwe to pay back the sum of N150 million, being money deposited by Waziri for the apartments.

Musa ruled that: ‘In view of the way and manner or mode of payment employed by the defendant in the purchase of the two flats at Abeh Court, belonging to the claimant, same as rendered the contract for the purchase of the properties void for violating money laundering laws.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Vice President of ECOWAS Commission, Damtien Tchintchibidja, says the sub-regional bloc is grooming West African children for future leadership roles.

Tchintchibidja stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of a sensitization programme for students on Monday in Abuja.

The programme, which was aimed at sensitising the youths on the mission, achievements and vision of ECOWAS, was organised by the commission as part of activities to celebrate its 49th anniversary.

‘We have been doing it over the years. We’ve done it in the past. And this is our way of reaching out to members of our community.

‘And because we pride ourselves on being the ECOWAS of the People.

‘So it is important that we get closer to the people and for the people to understand what we do and how our work impacts their livelihoods.

‘So it’s important that we reach out to the youth because these are our future leaders.

‘We want to instil ECOWAS values in those young children to make sure that tomo
rrow they will be the new leaders of ECOWAS,’ she said.

The vice president said that ECOWAS has been receiving positive feedback on the impacts of their efforts on the children, which she described as encouraging.

‘We’ve done this over the years, and from last year, for example, there’s been positive feedback and we intend to do more of it in other member states as well.

‘This is because by doing this kind of programs, we’re able to disseminate information, first of all in terms of what we do, our agenda, and our objectives.

‘It is also to get closer to our populations and for them to better understand us as an institution.

‘So, the feedback, from my perspective, is positive because it’s important that we reach out to all levels of our community.

‘It’s not just people, who are at the political level, who tend to engage with us more often in terms of the work we do, but also with normal citizens and especially our children,’ she explained.

Tchintchibidja said that ECOWAS has been doing a lot more in te
rms of other activities, apart from education for children within the subregion.

‘In terms of children, we’re promoting education for all children, children’s rights. What was presented in the course this morning, I call it course because it was for children, to educate them.

‘And we’re also promoting a level-playing ground for everyone, for every member of the society in our region.

‘Also to make sure that everyone has access to basic needs, basic goods, and to make sure that our member states also implement our protocols.

‘This is so that everyone has access to opportunities within our region, to the same opportunities within our region,’ the vice president added.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The African Union Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly has advocated for implementing policies and investing in technology to enhance global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth in Africa.

Stephen Benjoel, Chairperson of the assembly, made this call at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja to commemorate the 2024 African Union Day celebration with the theme ‘Educating an African Fit for the 21st Century.’

Benjoel noted the importance of the African Union Agenda 2063, aimed at achieving inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.

‘We recognise that Africa’s biggest challenge has been the implementation of policies. To address this, we are working diligently with various governments and stakeholders.

‘Our approach includes data gathering, providing awards and honors, securing strategic funding through international and regional partners, and escalating critical issues to ensure progress.

‘Our goal is not just to be diplomats but to dignify Africa and elevate our continent to new heights,’ h
e said.

He also announced that the assembly would confer the investiture of Ambassadors on July 24-25 to align the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current government with the African Union Agenda 2063.

‘We believe that through total literacy and education, we can empower Africans to compete globally and achieve our collective goals,’ he added.

Dr Mustapha Adeolu, Director General of the Chartered Institute of Information and Strategy, emphasised the need for Nigeria to reduce its reliance on minerals and invest more in technology to keep pace with developed nations.

‘There is a need for us to bring in technology. Our universities should start offering courses that provide better education for future Africans, such as artificial intelligence, data mining, and data thinking.

‘These courses can shape Africa and take us to where we want to be by 2063. Our universities should add value to students so they stop graduating as job seekers and become job creators,’ he said.

Joseph Ibeh, Clerk of the Assembly, highli
ghted that Nigeria has capable and smart human capital that can transform the continent’s challenges into sustainable economic growth.

‘That is why we are striving to get it right. Our youths are derailing because we adopt things that are not African, and we try to become them.

‘Africans need to understand the importance of educating themselves for the 21st century to meet the goals and aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063,’ he said.

Ms. Amarachikwu Tecula-Orakwe, Head of Communication and Public Relations at the African School of Diplomacy and International Affairs, said the awardees would serve as ambassadors of the assembly.

‘The idea is to confer ambassadorial titles on individuals based on their achievements in various industries. They will join us in driving the AU Agenda 2063 Ambassadorial Assembly,’ she said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Anchor Initiative for Community Development (AICD), an NGO, has called on stakeholders in the education sector to invest more in children.

The Executive Director of AICD, Anthony Eromosele, made the call at an outreach on Monday at Tasha Community Primary School, Gwagwalada, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in Abuja.

Eromosele said AICD organised a series of advocacy visits and workshops aimed at empowering and uplifting children in Tasha communities in Abuja and replicated the same in its annex states of Abia, and Katsina.

According to him, the advocacy visits and workshops will encourage community leaders and stakeholders to prioritise the education, health and nutrition, and security needs of children and young people.

He added that it would sensitise parents, guardians, and caregivers in rural communities to invest in children to ensure a better future.

‘The 2024 children’s day celebration with the theme ‘Investing in our future means investing in our children’ is a call for all hands to be on dec
k to create an enabling environment for children to thrive.

‘AICD’s commitment to mobilising resources and advocating for the wellbeing of our children hinges on our recognition that an investment in children is an investment in the future.

‘This, we believe, will yield a brighter and more prosperous future for all.

‘AICD carried out advocacy visits and workshops aimed at mobilising community leaders and parents to prioritise children’s needs and also equip children with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to succeed,’ he said.

He added that the objective of the gesture was to help children become agents of positive change in their communities.

He said that children were future leaders, innovators, and change-makers in the society, adding that there was the need to recognise the importance of nurturing their potential.

‘There is the need to provide children with opportunities to thrive,’ he said.

Mr Hakini Muraina, Assistant Head Teacher, commended AICD for the initiative to build the capacity
of children.

Muriana called on other stakeholders to do the same for the good of every child in Nigeria.

‘Indeed the children are our future leaders and Investing in them is also investing in the future of Nigeria,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Climate and Sustainable Development Network (CSDevNet), an NGO, has urged Nigerian school pupils to avoid activities that exacerbate climate change.

Mr Paul Joseph, CSDevNet’s Programme Officer, made this appeal during a visit to Pilot Primary School in Kwali, Abuja, in commemoration of Nigeria’s Children’s Day.

Joseph encouraged pupils to engage in climate action by keeping their environment clean, avoiding improper disposal of sachet water containers, and reducing pollution.

He noted the need for awareness to create a conducive environment for all.

Mr Danjuma Shagi, the school’s Headmaster, welcomed CSDevNet’s initiative and assured that the lessons learned would be implemented.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the pupils were also taught to respect public cleanliness warnings and introduced to recycling and reusing waste as part of a circular economy.

Highlights of the event included tree planting and showcasing arts and crafts like bags, shoes and dresses, made from recycled materials.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria