Press Release

It is with exceedingly great joy that the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria congratulates two of its past Country Vice Presidents (CVPs); Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor and Hon. Inimefien Aguma on their successful elections into the positions of International President and International Treasurer respectively, of FIDA International at the 38th Triennial Convention held in Cali, Colombia. Their elections into these esteemed positions is certainly well deserved and a clear acknowledgment of their leadership skills and selfless contributions over the years to the protection and advancement of the rights of women and children in Nigeria.

Their unwavering commitment and known antecedent in FIDA is exemplary as they have served diligently and remained resolutely consistent to the mandate of the association with commendable track records at key positions held within FIDA Nigeria, FIDA Regional and FIDA International.

Similarly, FIDA Nigeria heartily congratulates one of its own, Olori Olufunmilayo Oluyede, a past Regional Vice President (North America and the Caribbean), on her election as an International Director of FIDA International.

We are proud of these formidable amazons and we know for a fact that under this administration, FIDA International and by extension all the Regions and Member Countries under it, shall be further emboldened to effectively carry out the mandate for which FIDA is known, which is protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of women and children through the instrumentality of law.

To all the indefatigable women across all the member countries of FIDA International, who were elected at the 38th Triennial Convention and constitute the International Executive Council for the next three years, we congratulate you all and wish you an extremely successful and impactful tenure!

Once again, hearty congratulations Madame President, International Treasurer and International Director!

FOR: FIDA NIGERIA

Signed

Amina Suzanah Agbaje (Mrs.)

Country Vice/National President 

FIDA Nigeria

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, has described the appointment of Ezinne Okorafor as the new International President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) as “richly and well deserved.”

In a statement sent to Law & Society Magazine, Dr. Agbakoba said: “The election of Mrs Ezinne Okoroafor is welcome news. Her election is richly and well deserved .

“Ezinne was the Country Representative for Nigeria when I was President of the NBA in 2006. Her tenure was marked by the establishment of the NBA Women’s Forum.

“I applaud her. And wish her every success.”

On Friday 8th November 2024, Ezinwa Nwanyieze Okoroafor an International Director of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and ex-International Secretary was appointed as the International President of the 80-year-old association.

The event took place the 38th triennial convention of FIDA taking place in Cali, Colombia.

Ezinwa graduated from the University of Nigeria with an LLB (Hons) degree in 1985 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986. She holds a Master’s degree in Law (1989) from the University of Lagos.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the International Bar Association; and a Life Member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, Nigeria Branch as well as the Institute of Directors Nigeria. In addition, she is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, Nigeria.

Ezinwa serves on the board of several companies and institutions within and outside Nigeria.

A fraud of monumental proportion has quietly rocked one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank PLC, in recent times.

This was consequent upon the allegation that Saadatu Ramallan Yaro, a staff member of the bank and wife of Aminu Yaro, the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, laundered N70 billion and forfeited N120 billion to the federal government as part of a plea bargain to drop pending criminal charges against her.

But how she could have consummated that sleaze single-handed is a subject of interest of an investigation by THE CONCLAVE.

Months after, effort by this medium to find out the level of complicity of the management of Zenith Bank in the sleazy deal, if there was any, has fallen through due to refusal by officials of the Bank to respond to some specific questions in accordance.

THE CONCLAVE reached out to the former Managing Director, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, on September 26, 2024, to respond to the question of his awareness or otherwise of his staff member, Saadatu’s activities while he was in the saddle.

He had yet to respond to the messages sent to his two WhatsApp numbers as of press time.

The background to the story was how Saudatu and her husband allegedly connived with former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to grossly abuse the privileges of office by making quick cash from forex differential fraud.

About N70 billion was traced to Zenith Bank account that Saadatu operated in the course of the investigation.

Saadatu was a signatory to the company account where the funds were deposited.

EFCC arraigned Saadatu Ramallan Yaro and her company with the appropriate charges before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for money laundering offences totaling over N140 billion on May 22, 2023.

Yaro is also a director of April 1616 Investment Limited and Amsamay Limited.

In a 25-count charge, she was accused of failing to report Tsami Babi Resources Limited’s activities, enabling transactions exceeding N100 billion into the company’s account with a Zenith Bank, in violation of her duties as a director of a designated non-financial business.

Read the charges as reproduced below in extenso:

“That you, Saadatu Ramallan Yaro, being a Director of Tsami Babi Resources Limited, a designated non-financial institution, between 5th July, 2021 and 20th day of April, 2022, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to submit to the Ministry of Commerce, a declaration of activities of the said company within which period the total sum of N20,967,535,184.00 (Twenty Billion, Nine Hundred and Sixty-seven Million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eighty-Four Naira was deposited into the Company’s account No.1216254641 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 5(1) (a), 16(1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.

“That you, Tsami Babi Resources Limited, a Designated Non-financial Institution, in year 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to submit to the Ministry of Commerce, a declaration of activities of the said company within which period the total sum of N17,623,756,150.00 (Seventeen Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Seven and Fifty-six Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Naira) was deposited into the company’s account No. 1017359121 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 5(1)(a), 16(1)(f) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

In a separate 12-count charge, Saadatu Ramallan-Yaro was also accused alongside M.A.Y Fine Fragrance Limited, a designated non-financial institution, of money laundering offences totaling N40 billion.

One of the counts read, “That you, M.A.Y Fine Fragrance Limited, a designated non-financial institution, between 19th day of May and 9th day of August, 2022, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, failed to submit to the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering, a declaration of your activities within which period the total sum of N15,761,938,147 (Fifteen Billion, Seven Hundred and Sixty-one Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-eight Thousand, One Hundred and Forty-seven Naira) was deposited into your account No.1222868021 domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc and you thereby Committed an offence contrary to Sections 6(1) (a), 19(1) (f) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition ) Act, 2022 and Punishable under section 19(2)(b) of the Same Act.”

Industry watchers are of the view that Saadatu couldn’t have laundered that huge fund without the knowledge of the management of the bank, then under Ebenezer onyeagwu.

THE CONCLAVE contacted Ayoola Ayoola Kusimo of the corporate communication department of the bank, with specific questions via sms and WhatApp through his two telephone numbers on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

He had yet to respond as of press time more than 24 hours after, suggesting a deliberate policy by the bank to keep mum on the sensitive matter.

Culled from The Conclave

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has justified the treason charge that was instituted against some minors who participated in the recent EndBadGovernance protest that was held across the country.

The AGF, who maintained that no law in the country forbade the prosecution of minors, said President Bola Tinubu’s decision to terminate further proceedings on the case brought against the teenagers was purely on compassionate grounds.

Fagbemi, SAN, spoke after a new office complex that was built by an Abuja-based law firm, the Law Corridor, was commissioned on Thursday.

According to him, “No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried, and I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court.

“The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the federal high court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues. 

“So, whatever the situation, the president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released.

“The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel.

“But the president said, despite all this, ‘I have children and grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways. 

“So the credit goes to him (the President) for showing compassionate consideration in releasing the young chaps,” the AGF added.

It will be recalled that the Federal High Court in Abuja had last Tuesday struck out two separate treason charges that were preferred against 119 persons who were arrested and detained for participating in the nationwide protest that was held between August 1 and August 10.

The cases were terminated after the AGF, acting at the behest of President Tinubu, withdrew the charges that were originally brought before the court by the Nigeria Police Force. 

Whereas 32 minors were cited as defendants in the first 10-count charge marked: FHC/CR/503/2024, in the second charge marked: FHC/CR/527/2024, which contained four counts, five minors were listed as defendants in the matter.

Four of the accused minors, who were between the ages of 14 and 17, collapsed in court before the charge could be read to them. 

Meanwhile, the AGF has enjoined legal practitioners in the country to embrace partnership in the law profession, saying it would not only enhance their capacity but also help them in risk management.

“When seasoned practitioners partner with younger lawyers, the next generation of practitioners learns from their experiences.

“In return, younger lawyers bring fresh perspectives in adaptability, driving the profession to knee innovations.

“Another good aspect of the partnership is sustainability and resilience to create more room for accountability and to support networks where challenges can be faced collectively to meet clients’ expectations. 

“Collaboration enhances good relationships, which is a cornerstone of the law profession, as clients seek not expertise but a team that understands their needs to receive comprehensive services,” the AGF added.

The Law Corridor, which has Pelumi Olajengbesi as its managing partner, also has Henry Kelechukwu Eni-Otu as the lead partner and Ganiyu Ajibola Bello as the Deputy managing partner.

The dignitaries at the occasion included the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, as well as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

A widow from Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chikodili Okeke, has appealed to the state government to save her from the intimidation and frustration she is suffering from her late husband’s kinsmen over her refusal to engage in sexual affairs with some of them.

Okeke made the appeal when she appeared before the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare at the ministry’s headquarters in Awka, on Thursday.

The case, bordering on alleged torment, intimidation and forceful seizure of property, was reported to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare by the widow herself.

Narrating her ordeal before the commissioner, she said her late husband, Christopher, who became critically sick while in Sierra Leone, was brought down to Nigeria for treatment, noting that during his treatment, some of his kinsmen began to interfere in his affairs.

She revealed that her kinsmen invited her several times to their town meetings, where they accused her of not informing them officially that her husband was sick, after which they banned her from everything concerning her husband’s healthcare.

According to her, some of the kinsmen restricted her from visiting or attending to her husband in the hospital, where he was receiving treatment, claiming that the doctor informed them that the sickness usually got worse each time she visited.

She said, “My kinsmen in collaboration with my husband’s sister bribed and conspired with the doctor treating him and smuggled him out of the hospital to an unknown destination.

“The police from Zone 13, Ukpo, intervened after I reported the matter to them and also arrested some of them, including the doctor, who then confessed that my kinsmen bribed him with N100,000 to lie that the wife’s presence was worsening the husband’s health condition.

“My husband eventually died on the sickbed and after his demise, the kinsmen began to torment and frustrate me even more, making conditions worse for me and my children.

“Apart from the fact that the people did not contribute a dime to my husband’s burial, the kinsmen and my husband’s sister also denied me access to most of my husband’s property, including houses and shops where he has tenants, to the point that feeding and paying my children’s school fees became very difficult.

“The people went to the extent of bringing back the ex-wife of my husband’s father who was divorced many years ago and who bore no child before leaving, inviting her over to come and take over and occupy the majority of the property of my husband.”

The widow lamented that when she approached one of the husband’s kinsmen, identified as Mr Okorocha, and asked him why they were frustrating and making life more difficult for her and her children, he reminded her of his earlier request for her to allow him to “suck” her breasts and which she refused to do.

She alleged that the kinsman insisted that allowing him to “suck” her breasts was the only solution to all her problems, while some other kinsmen she approached also requested her to allow them to have sexual affairs with her, which she also turned down.

She explained that her insistence not to grant their requests worsened her condition which necessitated her to cry to the state government for intervention.

Responding to her plight, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, condemned the act describing it as “pure wickedness and ill-conceived,” adding that it is contradictory to the Igbo cultural values and against what the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s administration stands for.

Obinabo, who was visibly angry about the matter, also assured the widow that the state government would investigate and ensure justice was served while the culprits would be made to face the full weight of the law.

Credits: PUNCH

For seizing his tablet so that he would do his homework, a teenage boy axed his mother to death.  

According to Russian police, the 15-year-old, who has not been named, repeatedly struck her on the head while she lay in bed at their home near Moscow.

He then “chopped her up” before nailing her bedroom door shut and calmly going to his local shop in the village of Krasnaya Storozhka to buy chocolate.  

The boy is understood to have played Minecraft before reporting to police in nearby Sergiev Posad, around 46 miles northeast of Moscow.  

The dead woman has been named as Alexandra Gabbasova, 48, an accountant at a furniture factory. 
 

Alexandra was said to have become concerned that her son was playing online games for up to 12 hours a day, and neglecting his school homework. 

“His mother found out that the 15-year-old had neglected his homework while on sick leave [from school] and made a scene,” reported news outlet Mash. 

“She took away all his cords, his phone and tablet. 

“The teenager was offended, found an axe and chopped his mother up with it. 

“Then he went to the police and confessed to killing her.” 

Officers said she had been killed four hours before they arrived at the scene. 

The boy hit his mother “randomly, chaotically” with the axe, according to Telegram channel 112.  

After buying chocolate and playing games, he used the search engine to find the nearest police station and reported that he had killed his mother. 

Teachers have described the young man being held in custody as “quiet” and a student who “studied normally.”

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has announced that all Nigerian women in need will now have access to free Cesarean sections (CS).

The announcement was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, on day 2 of the Joint Annual Review (JAR) conference.

“This initiative is part of the new Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project,” Prof. Pate said, highlighting the government’s commitment to improving maternal and neonatal health in Nigeria.

The statement, which was uploaded on the official X account of the Presidential Media Team on Thursday, November 7, noted that Nigeria continues to face significant health challenges, with maternal mortality at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality at 41 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The country also has a low uptake of essential health services.

MAMII aims to reduce these rates by improving access to quality healthcare, strengthening primary healthcare (PHC) services, and fostering greater community engagement in healthcare initiatives.

Tribuneonline