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NBC Boss Tells Court Has No Case Against Us in N2.5Bn DSO Trial

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Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, director-general of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Pinnacle Communications Ltd, and two others, on Monday told Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo- Giwa of the Federal High Court Abuja, that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), has no case against them.

NBC Boss Tells Court Has No Case Against Us in N2.5Bn DSO Trial

The defendants made the submission through their various lawyers while adopting their written addresses in respect of the no-case-submission they filed challenging the charge instituted against them by the ICPC.

The defendants are facing prosecution over the N2.5bn released to Pinnacle Communications under the approval of the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, under the Federal Government’s DSO project.

Adopting his no-case-submission dated 16 December 2019, Kawu’s (1st defendant) counsel, Abdullahi Mustapha SAN, pursuant to sections 302 and 303 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, urged the court to discharge and acquit the 1st defendant  of all the 3-count charges levelled against him by the State.

Mustapha submitted that the State was unable to make a prima facie case against the defendant and therefore cannot be asked to enter defence.

Kawu’s counsel said none of the 9 witnesses called by the prosecution was able to establish the ingredients of the offence to warrant the 1st defendant to enter defence.

The 1st defendant’s lawyer posited that the burden of proof lies on the prosecution to discharge, adding that the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were full of contradictions and doubts.

More so, Mustapha submitted that failure of the prosecution to call the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed to testify being the person that gave the approval for the release of the fund was fatal to the case.

“A vital witness in this case was not called and the court was gracious to give ample time for the State to call the Minister as witness but they failed.

“The onus lies on the State to call the Minister as a witness because he gave the approval for the release of N2.5bn grant for the Federal Government’s Digital Switch Over project.

“As we speak my lord, the Minister  has not come out to deny giving the 1st defendant the approval, he has not queried the 1st defendant, he has not said anything other than applauding the achievements of the defendant as DG of NBC.

“My lord,  for the Minister not to refute the approval, and not telling the court that he was misled nor say anything to the contrary, shows a big gap.

The counsel told the court that the controversial minutes of meeting of the NBC Management board was not signed and adopted.

Therefore, Mustapha urged the court to sustain his no case submission, and discharge and acquit the 1st defendant.

Similarly, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, Alex Izinyon SAN, urged the court to uphold his no case submission dated December 17, 2019.

Izinyon said the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients outlined in sections 302 and 303 of ACJA, adding that the onus lies on the prosecution to prove its case and not the other way round.

He pointed out that PW4 and PW9 said there was no complaint or petition against the defendant but in the cause of investigating ITS, they stumbled on the N2.5bn released to Pinnacle Communications (4th defendant).

“PW9 said the Minister said he was misled. The Minister is the mouthpiece of the Federal Government. It is not in the mouth of a technocrat to interpret the Whitepaper on DSO project.

Also, Izinyon noted that the prosecution did not make any move to correct the contradictions in the evidence of the witnesses.

He therefore urged the court to hold that the prosecution has failed to prove its case against the defendants, and that they should be discharged and acquitted.

The 4th defendant represented by Ama Etuwewe SAN also urged the court to uphold Pinnacle’s no case submission just as he adopted the submissions of counsel to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.

Etuwewe said the prosecution did not controvert the fact that the 4th defendant is a critical stakeholder  in the DSO project of the FG.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Henry Emoreh urged the court to dismiss the no case submission of the defendants, insisting that he was able to make a prima facie case against them.

He said there were no contradictions in the evidence of the witnesses, and that he has been able to link the defendants with the offence.

“It is not in dispute that the Minister of Information gave the approval, but if the defendants so wish, they can call the Minister  to give evidence, the prosecution counsel said.

After the adoption, the judge fixed March 26, for ruling.


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Techy Accountants in partnership with ACCA Host AccounTech Summit to Empower Finance Professionals

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The AccounTech Summit, hosted by The Techy Accountant in partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), is a groundbreaking event designed to navigate the evolving landscape of the finance industry in the digital era.

Techy accountant

Recognizing the critical need for finance professionals to adapt to technological advancements and emerging trends, this summit is a driving force for innovation, transformation, and progress.

The event is set to take place as follows:

Date: August 15th, 2024,

Location: Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos, Victoria Island, Nigeria.

Time: 9:00 A.M

The summit aims to celebrate achievements in the finance sector, support entrepreneurship ventures, and enlighten participants on industry challenges and opportunities. With a focus on bridging the employability gap and promoting high-quality skill development in finance, the summit aims to address the evolving landscape of the industry in the digital age.

Over the past six years, The Techy Accountant has graduated over 1000 finance professionals and trained more than 5000 individuals worldwide.

Event Highlights

The one-day event will bring together over 200 attendees, including finance professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and Techies.

Attendees can expect a day of immersive learning and collaboration, culminating in an award and grant ceremony. Event Highlights include keynote sessions, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, all centred around the theme “Emerging Tech in Accounting & Finance – A Game Changer.”

Commenting on the summit, Mrs. Toyin Olufon, Founder of The Techy Accountant stated, “We believe in equipping finance professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing industry”.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mopelola Jatto, CFA, Regional Head, ACCA Nigeria remarked, “Partnering with The Techy Accountant underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and driving excellence in the finance profession. Together, we aim to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the digital age.”

TO REGISTER, VISIT: https://thetechyaccountant.org/event/the-techy-accountants-account-tech-summit-2024


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NASENI, Nasarawa State, Firm to Establish Tractor Manufacturing Plant in North-Central Geo-political Zone

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National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) is set to collaborate with Nasarawa state government and Bobtrack Tractors, a division of Saint Bob Motors Limited to start the manufacturing and assembling of tractors in the north-central geo-political zone.

Left to Right: The Chief Executive Officer, Bob Track Ltd, Mr. Ibifiri A.C Bob Manuel; the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu; the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, and Mr. Jerry of Bob Track Ltd, during a courtesy visit at NASENI Headquarters on Monday, April 22nd, 2024.

The facilities and infrastructure available at one of NASENI’s Institutes, Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI), Lafia, Nasarawa state will be used for assembling and manufacturing of the tractors.

According to the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, the project which is aimed at creating wealth and jobs for Nigerian youths is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of ensuring food security and promotion of mechanized farming and agro-business in the country. Halilu disclosed this when the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdulahi A. Sule led a delegation comprising of Bob Track Tractors to pay a visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, April 22nd, 2024.

Mr. Halilu who assured Governor Sule and the delegation of NASENI’s readiness to do business with them, said, “the Agency is willing to partner with you and sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) so that in the next couple of weeks we will move into action.”

He disclosed that Mr. President had recognized NASENI as a national brand and its National Tractor Recovery Programme wherein 55,000 tractors would be refurbished for mechanized farming nationwide.

In his remarks, Governor Sule said, he aligned with NASENI’s vision of collaborating and promoting made-in-Nigeria goods and also believed that government’s role is to provide a level playing field necessary for businesses to thrive.

The objective of his visit, he said, was to introduce the Bob Track Tractors which deals in assembling and manufacturing of tractor and farm implements with offices in Port Harcourt to NASENI so that it could utilize the existing facilities at AMEDI, Lafia for assembling of tractors instead of acquiring a new land for the business.

The CEO of Bob Track Tractors, Mr. Ibifiri A.C. Bob Manuel said, “We are ready to take up the facility that you have in Nasarawa State, create employment and wealth for the youths in the area and also use it as a hub to drive mechanized agricultural vision of the present administration. We are willing to invest in Nasarawa state with help of His Excellency, his team and NASENI.”


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ARISE News Channel Goes Live in SA, 9 Other Southern African Countries

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ARISE News Channel, Africa’s premier broadcaster, has announced its expansion into South Africa and nine other Southern African countries.

ARISE News Channel Goes Live in SA, 9 Other Southern African Countries

The channel is now available on Multichoice/DSTV Channel 416 in South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

With this expansion, ARISE News Channel is now live in 54 African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Sudan, Ghana, Senegal, and Cote d’Ivoire, among others.

Celebrating its 11th anniversary on January 31, ARISE News Channel continues to showcase Africa’s diversity in business, politics, technology, commerce, science, sports, show business, and fashion, while projecting the best of Africa and its cultures globally.

Nduka Obaigbena, chairman and editor-in-chief of ARISE News Channel,, expressed determination to launch the channel in all countries worldwide, stating, “The move to Southern Africa reaffirms ARISE News Channel’s position as the leading broadcaster in Africa with independence and clear thinking. We are determined to celebrate the best of Africa and tell the African story in the global marketplace.”

He added, “We shall continually showcase the emerging African century where Nigeria and other African countries will be some of the leading economies around the world. This is a marathon and not a dash: we will do for Nigeria and Africa what the CNN, the BBCs, and Aljazeeras have done for their nations and regions. In the emerging African AI- driven new information highway, no one will shape your narrative better than you.”


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