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How I paid $30,000 into Onnoghen’s domiciliary account, Agi opens up

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AS controversies continue to trail the inability of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, in declaring his complete bank account in his assets declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon his appointment as CJN, a lawyer and former Peoples Democractic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Cross River State, Joe Agi, SAN has said he particularly deposited the sum of $30,000 for Onnoghen.

Onnoghen Justice Onnoghen This was even as he alleged that the Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, and those he described as a cabal were after him because he (Agi) did not only expose them but also secured the refund of the fraudulent deduction of $3,18 billion from local governments account by the Federal Government in the Paris Club fund.

His explanation came amidst his recent arraignment by the federal government for allegedly bribing the suspended CJN with the amount for a favourable judgment. The legal luminary, explained the role he played in the suspended CJN’s domiciliary account in a statement he sent to Vanguard, Wednesday, following accusation of bribing Onnoghen with the money for a favourable judgement. Agi said he deposited the money in the suspended CJN’s domiciliary account having collected the money for such purpose from Onnoghen, whom he said, was not aware such account existed nor knew how to open and operate it.

He said in the statement: “In the year 2009, I brought to his knowledge that he can open a domiciliary account instead of travelling with cash from Nigeria to abroad on seminars, holidays, conferences or medical trips. “My Lord Justice Onnoghen said he had no idea since the opening of foreign account was forbidden for Public Officers.

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I informed him that domiciliary account is not a foreign bank account as it is opened and operated within the local banks in Nigeria. “It was on this note that I went to my banker and obtained Account Opening Forms for him as a friend and senior brother. “He completed the forms and I refereed him. He gave me $30,000, being left over of his allowances for overseas seminars, holidays, conferences or medical trips to deposit for him as the first deposit.

“This, I did in 2009, that is 10 years ago. After that, he operated the account himself without me paying even a cent into that account till date.” “Now, 10 years after, I am again being vilified and accused of giving Justice Onnoghen bribe.

“If I may ask, a bribe for what case? In the Supreme Court panel, they sit in five or seven persons, was the $30,000 for the five or seven justices? And for what case? This is another huge joke aimed at vilifying my person by the same cabal who are hell bent on tarnishing my image as an aftermath of the exposure of the Paris Club fraud.

” The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, challenged the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mallam Abubakar Malami, who instituted the case against him to come up with evidence to support his claim that the $30 ,000 traced to the account of the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Onnoghen, was a bribe to compromise the trial on the exposed $ 3.18 billion paris club fruad.

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He explained that though he convinced the suspended CJN to open the said domiciliary account with the Standard Chartered Bank 10 years ago with an initial deposit of $30,000, the deposit was never a bribe to the CJN or the trial judge in the Paris Club’s fraud case, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

According to him, rather than the government to pay him his legal fee of over N 70 million for exposing and winning the case in court, Mallami and the same cabal had framed him up with trump up charges including bribing the suspended CJN. Mr Agi said it was a huge joke to have said he bribed the respected Justice of supreme Court justice Ademola with N30 million and a jeep to secure the ruling on the Paris Club refund . “Is it a crime for judges to have friends or acquaintances?

I challenge the Attorney General Malami, SAN and the EFCC to come forward with their proof that the $30,000 Onnoghen sent me to deposit for him 10 years ago was as a result of bribery.

“I challenge them to come out openly on the real reason why they are out to tarnish my image. They should be bold enough to open up rather than hiding under the guise of fight against corruption as a smokescreen to launch a smear campaign against my person.

“The government should be sincere and serious about fighting corruption and not be engaged in the deliberate destruction of the names of its citizens whom they perceive as enemies.

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“Which Nigerian alive today can say he has not benefited from the Paris Club Refund? Yet, Joe Agi, SAN who is the face of Paris Club refund is being hounded and haunted instead of being celebrated. God save us! “Let it be known that very prominent people in the present government have corruptly and fraudulently taken the legal fees due to me from the Paris Club Refund and the EFCC has seen nothing wrong with it,” he further said.

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NDLEA Arrests Hair Stylist, Dispatch Rider for Allegedly Selling Drug-Laced Chin-Chin to Students in Bayelsa

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu, and a 30-year-old dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, for allegedly peddling illicit drug-laced chin-chin to school students and at social gatherings in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

NDLEA Spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, stated on Sunday that officers on patrol around the Opolo area of Yenagoa intercepted Edesemi, recovering 200 grams of chin-chin infused with cannabis sativa, intended for delivery to a buyer on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

“A swift follow-up operation led to the arrest of the hairdresser, Josephine, who distributes the drugged chin-chin from the salon where she works in the Kpansia area of Yenagoa,” Babafemi remarked.

He revealed that a search of the salon resulted in the discovery of an additional 3.00 kilograms of the illicit substance, bringing the total weight seized from the duo to 3.2 kilograms.

Investigations uncovered that they frequently distributed the drug-laced chin-chin, often mixed with cannabis and tramadol, to students and at birthday parties.

“While Edesemi handled the delivery to buyers, Josephine served as a major distributor to a wanted suspect involved in the production of the drugged chin-chin,” Babafemi added.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Adamawa State apprehended two wanted suspects, Ajim Samuel (aka Boss), 30, and Davidson John Joshua (aka Dantala), 36, on Wednesday, March 13. The suspects were intercepted along the Numan-Jalingo road, carrying 14,428 pills of tramadol concealed in their vehicle, along with 21 grams of cannabis and monetary exhibits totaling N19,280.

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Also, in Osun State, a commercial bus driver, Ogunleye Adegoke, 49, was arrested along the Gbongan-Ibadan road after NDLEA operatives discovered 2,000 capsules of tramadol, 60 tablets of rohypnol, and 10 bottles of codeine syrup concealed in the spare tire compartment of his vehicle.

The NDLEA’s statement highlighted numerous other arrests and seizures across various states, emphasizing the agency’s continued efforts in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign nationwide.

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the outstanding feats of officers and men across different commands for intensifying WADA advocacy lectures, balancing drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts effectively.

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Oba Balogun Integral to My Political Journey – Olafisoye Mourns Late Olubadan

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A member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. (Prince) Olafisoye Wasiu Akinmoyede, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Mahood Lekan Balogun, describing it as a personal loss to him and the entire indigenes of Lagelu Local Government area of Oyo State.

In a heartfelt condolence message addressed to the government of Oyo State, the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, the Lagun family in Lagelu, where Oba Balogun hailed from, and the entire indigenes of Ibadan, the lawmaker conveyed his grief and sympathy for the demise of Oba Lekan Balogun, who passed away on Thursday night, just a few days after celebrating his second anniversary on the throne as the Olubadan of Ibadan land.

“Hon. Lafi,” representing the Akinyele/Lagelu federal constituency, expressed, “Though late Oba Balogun’s reign was short, it was monumental and historic to the people of the ancient city of Ibadan and humanity in general.”

Recalling the pivotal role played by the late Oba Lekan Balogun in his political journey, Hon. Lafi emphasized that the deceased monarch was instrumental in his career, providing both financial and moral support from his days as a councilor up to his current position as a federal lawmaker.

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The lawmaker extended his condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde, the Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, the Olubadan-In-Council, immediate and extended members of the Lagun family, and all Ibadan indigenes.

He assured them that the entire constituents of Akinyele/Lagelu stand in solidarity with them, offering prayers and support during this period of grief.

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Oyo: Oseni Mourns Late Olubadan, Reveres Oba Balogun’s Legacy

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A member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Friday, described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo State, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Mohood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, as a patriot and custodian of Yoruba values who gave his best while on the throne.

The late Oba Balogun, aged 82, who was the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan Land, died at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan a few hours after he was admitted to the tertiary health facility on Thursday night.

Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido federal constituency, said in his condolence message that the contributions of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland to the political, social, and economic life of the ancient city would remain indelible in the hearts and minds of those who interacted with him in politics and socio-economic life.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, added that Oba Balogun left an indelible mark and epitomised the qualities of a passionate leader on the Nigerian political plane and in business, using his knowledge and skill to serve God, his people, and the government in various capacities.

The lawmaker expressed his condolences to the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo state government, Oba Balogun’s family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the State Traditional Council, and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large.

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“Undoubtedly, our esteemed Olubadan wielded his influential presence to advocate for peace, harmony, and progress in Ibadan land and throughout Oyo State during his impactful two-year reign on the throne of his ancestors.

“Oba Balogun departed at a pivotal juncture in our nation’s history, leaving behind a void of his sagacious guidance and wealth of experience sorely needed. I implore Governor Seyi Makinde, the Olubadan-in-Council, the State Traditional Council, the people of Ibadan land and Oyo State, as well as all members of his immediate and extended family, to find solace in the enduring legacy and indelible mark he leaves behind,” the statement read.

Oseni offered prayers for the repose of the deceased monarch’s soul.

 

 

 

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