konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign konga Ad Campaign
ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Home
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Special Reports and Investigations
      • Health Specials
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Features and Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • #EndSARS Dashboard
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • #PandoraPapers
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Nigerian Senate

The Chamber of the Nigerian Senate

Money Laundering: Court issues bench warrant on senator

byPress Release
June 17, 2019
2 min read

A judge, A. A. Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, granted an application made by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), for the arrest of a serving senator, Albert Bassey, popularly known as OBA.

The warrant compels him to appear in court and face the money laundering charges preferred against him by the commission.

The serving senator, according to his counsel, Samuel Ikpo, failed to appear in court because he was not served a copy of the charge.

Mr Ikpo also added that he was instructed by his client, to appear in court and receive the charge on his behalf.

However, the prosecution, through its counsel, Mohammed Sadisu Abubakar, gave a detailed account of the court on efforts made by the commission to serve the lawmaker.

“My lord, since the filling of the charge, the prosecution has made frantic efforts to serve the suspect the charge but all our efforts proved abortive, as the suspect, who has been on administrative bail granted him by the EFCC has jumped bail. The Investigating Officer, Osatuyi Ayodele, also placed a call to him on June 6, 2019, inviting him to the office to be served the charge, but the Lawmaker failed to show up after he promised that he would.

“One of his (Senator Bassy) lawyers, Ini Utuk, was also contacted on June 7, 2019, but equally failed to show up, after promising to do so. Till this moment My lord, the suspect has failed, to honour the terms of his administrative bail which is always to make himself available.

“In the circumstances my lord, I humbly apply, under Section 113 and 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act for this honourable court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the suspect and to produce him before this honourable court,” Mr Abubakar said.

But the defence counsel, however, asked that the charge be given to him since the matter was coming up for the first time before the court and that the suspect was not served the copy of the charge.

“The defendant was sworn in last week in Abuja as a Senator. I respectfully apply that the charge be given to me to hand over to him,” Mr Ikpo.

Responding on point of law, the EFCC counsel countered the argument of the defence, as he hinged his argued on the provisions of Section 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He said, “My lord, Section 114 of the ACJA provides that the court can issue an order for the first time, depending on the nature and circumstances of the case and the nature and circumstances of this case give rise for the issuance of a bench warrant. This is a criminal matter, and there is no provision in ACJA 2015 to serve a charge through counsel in respect of a suspect who has not appeared before the court. My lord, I urge you to discountenance the submissions of the defence counsel,” Mr Abubakar argued.

After listening to both sides, the judge upheld the arguments of the prosecution.

Senator Bassey Albert
Bassey Albert

“Section 114 of the ACJA is instructive on this issue. The court can issue a warrant on the first day, depending on the circumstances and nature of the case. One should lead by example and to whom much is given, much is expected.

“Where the defendant found it necessary to attend a legislative function, he should also find it obligatory to honour invitations by law enforcement agencies. Justice is for all in the temple of justice, and if there is an application to be granted in the interest of justice, it should be the application made by the prosecution.

“The court, therefore, grants the application and consequently issue a bench warrant against the defendant for his production in this court on the next adjourned date”, the court ruled.

The matter was adjourned to June 24, 2019, for arraignment.

Mr Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-east Senatorial district in the upper chamber.

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket


CITIZEN-FM AD


Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999






PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

NSE maintain bearish trend despite listing of Ellah Lakes additional shares

Next Post

Osun court remands 23 alleged cultists in prison

Press Release

Press Release

More News

NDLEA officials

NDLEA arrests notorious female drug dealer in Rivers

June 30, 2022
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Sanwo-Olu approves increase in BRT fares

June 30, 2022
Bamise Ayanwole

Bamise: Body of deceased thrown out of moving vehicle – Witness

June 30, 2022
Nigeria Police officers

Police invite popular social media influencer over alleged cyber-stalking, conspiracy

June 30, 2022
Debt Management Office (DMO) boss, Patience Oniha. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Web page of DMO] Eurobonds

Buhari reappoints Patience Oniha as DG Debt Management Office

June 30, 2022
British_International_Investment_Launch

UK’s investment institution announces $20 million financing in Nigerian firm, Moove

June 30, 2022
Next Post
magistrate_court

Osun court remands 23 alleged cultists in prison

Super Falcons

Nigeria vs France (LIVE UPDATES): Super Falcons face tough battle against hosts

Read All Comment

Search

AUN-PT Ad




Access Bank Ad







Subscribe to News via Email

Enter your email address and receive notifications of news by email.

Join 1,901,577 other subscribers.

Advertisement




netherland biz school Advert



ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • #PandoraPapers
  • Gender
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • COVID-19
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Investigations
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Multimedia
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • #EndSARS Dashboard
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • AUN-PT Data Hub
  • Opinion
  • The Membership Club
  • DONATE
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • PT Hausa
  • Dubawa NG
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.