News

I’m Being Unjustly Victimised, Dr. Anu Adepoju Cries Out

Published

4 years ago

July 7, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The last has not been heard of the ‘unjust’ hail of attacks directed at Lagos doctor, who specializes in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Anuoluwapo Adepoju, by some elements, allegedly seeking her downfall.

Speaking to the Boss, Dr. Adepoju the noted that her persecution and attacks have emanated from the CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Mr. Babatunde Irukera, who unceremoniously led a team security operatives in person to close down her clinic, Med Contour, located in Lekki, Lagos; an action which has made the public to raise some questions bordering on complicity and victimisation.

Sequel to spearheading the closure of Med Contour, Barr. Irukera instituted a legal action against the doctor, charging through a court which was never served her.

Prosecuting lawyer and CEO, FCCPC, Irukera

Narrating her experience, Dr. Adepoju accused Irukera of orchestrating her ‘illegal arrest’, and subjected her to three days in the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti. She added that the FCCPC CEO personally mandated DCP Yetunde Longe to deny her administrative bail with the claim that the orders to lock her up were from the Inspector General of Police.

“I sincerely doubt that. He is just manipulating the system to his schemes, whatever they are,” Dr Anu stressed, adding that it’s unconstitutional for the police to detain a person for more than 24 hours without proven evidential allegation.

Responding to Boss investigation, a source, who crave anonymity, said that it is obvious that Irukera has an interest in getting Anu out of business, hinting that the present witch-hunt has gone beyond the death of a cosmetic surgery patient, who did not even die in the doctor’s custody.

“If it’s not witch-hunt, how does one explain why the FCCPC would get involved in a case that is outside it’s jurisdiction and why would Mr Irukera the CEO of a Federal Government agency personally come to Lagos from Abuja and invade her clinic with a team of police men without a search warrant or any legal backing of any sort? The source queried, asking if the commission does not have a legal department.

He added that from available evidence, especially bordering on what transpired in court over the weekend, and the process that led to the court appearance, it appears that the respected FCCPC officer is acting a script, whose author is yet unknown, primarily to embarrass Dr Adepoju.

“That’s not all, Irukera has also claimed that his mandate is derived from the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, making everyone wonder if he is not using the VO’s name in vain because Osinbajo is not the kind of person that will thrive on impunity and disregard to rule of law,” he said.

Dr Adepoju

The Boss investigation further revealed that the law officer filed a case against Dr Adepoju since June 3, 2020, but did not serve her a copy as demanded by law. She only became aware of the charges in court on July 3, 2020. Unknown to her, she has been charged for ‘failure to comply with FCCPC requirements in an investigation; appear and provide info relevant to ongoing investigation’. The action, many has said raises eyebrow.

Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, duly lambasted Irukera for his oversight, granted the accused bail on self recognition and adjourned.

However, unconfirmed reports said that the FCCPC boss has induced coverage of the court process as media statement was heard from Dr Adepoju except from Irukera alone.

“It is unheard of that in a case involving two persons, only one party was interviewed at the court, and the other ignored. Where is the balancing,” the source wondered.

For the benefit of hindsight, the commission has arraigned Dr Adepoju on a five-count charge of alleged botched surgery she allegedly conducted that led to the death of a patient, one Mrs. Nneka Onwuzuligbo in addition to disregarding summons sent to her to appear before the agency and summons by the agency to appear and produce certain documents.

Dr Adepoju, who had before now denied all allegations, pleaded not guilty, and the case is adjourned.

News

Ex-Gov Bello Stripped of Security Details, Placed on Watchlist

Published

20 hours ago

April 19, 2024

Eric

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has placed Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, on a watchlist, just as the police headquarters in Abuja “ordered the withdrawal of all men attached to his excellency Alhaji Yahaya Bello, former executive governor of Kogi state”.

Bello was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on April 18 after his absence from the federal high court in Abuja “stalled his arraignment”.

The anti-graft agency alleges that Bello, alongside Alli Bello, chief of staff to Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi; and one Daudu Suleiman, diverted about N80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi government.

In a statement signed by DS Umar, assistant comptroller of immigration, on behalf of Kemi Nandap, comptroller-general of the NIS, the agency said “the above named person has been placed on watch list”.

“The subject is being prosecuted for breach of trust and money laundering. If seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation for further action,” the statement reads.

On April 17, the EFCC ended its siege on Bello’s residence in Abuja after Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi, arrived at the house and was later seen leaving with his predecessor.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

2 days ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.