N11.5bn Fraud: Bishop And Bank MD Remanded In Prison

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, the Plateau State capital, on Wednesday ordered the prison remand of the Managing Director of Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank Limited, Mr. Irmiya Jatau, over N11.5bn fraud.

Also remanded was the Bishop of Maranatha Church, Jonas Katung, who was charged alongside Jatau by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which accused them of defrauding hundreds of depositors. The accused were slammed with 24 counts before Justice Musa Kurya.

Joined with them in the charge are one Okewole Dayo and Dadin Kowa Microfinance Bank Limited. The EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to defraud over 64,000 customers of the defunct Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society to the tune of N11.5 bn.

In one of the counts filed against the accused, the EFCC alleged that sometime in 2012, they “did conspire with yourselves to commit money laundering contrary to Section 18 (a )of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended by the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”

They were also accused of transferring the sum of N50m from Covenant Fadama Cooperative Society account to a First Bank account, with number 2003050001625, into the Dadin Kowa Microfinance, First Bank account Number-2016452671.

This sum, the count said, represented proceeds of unlawful acts and amounted to an offence contrary to Section 15 (25) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended by the Money Laundering amendment (Prohibition) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 54 of the same Act, among others.

But when the charges were read to them, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty, except Bishop Katung, who pleaded guilty to one of the counts before he suddenly changed his mind and pleaded not guilty like others. Katung had earlier on December 9, 2015, been granted bail before the case was adjourned till Wednesday.

The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. L. P. Asor, said Jatau was not covered by the bail application earlier granted to the accused persons because no charge was preferred against him as of the time the bail application was granted to the bishop who is the first accused person in the charge. According to the EFCC, the charges against the bank MD were only filed two days before.

However, while opposing the bail application, the prosecuting counsel argued that the bail granted to the first accused person should also apply to the bank MD since he is one of the co-accused persons in the entire case.

After hearing the argument from the defence and prosecution counsel, the presiding judge ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered that the bank MD be remanded in prison pending when his bail application would be filed and considered by the court. The case was adjourned till March 7 for further hearing.

Source: PunchNg

Pope Francis To Make ‘Acting’ Debut In Spiritual Film….

Pope Francis will mark his acting debut in a new religious film aimed at children in which he will tell them ‘how and where to find Jesus’, Italian producers said on Monday.

Beyond the Sun, from Rome-based distribution and production company AMBI, is described as a family adventure based on the Gospels ‘where children from different cultures emulate the apostles while searching for Jesus in the world around them’.

The project, financed by AMBI co-founders Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi, tells the story of a group of children ‘learning from their experiences in a forest using love, hope and faith’, the company said in its website.

All profits from the film will be donated to Argentinean charities El Alemendro and Los Hogares de Cristo, which aid at-risk children and young adults. The film ends ‘with an epilogue from Pope Francis telling children how and where to find Jesus’, AMBI said.

Bacardi said, ‘It is a great honor for Andrea and I to have the opportunity to work with His Holiness, Pope Francis, to spread the awareness of his message, through this film.’ However, a Vatican spokesman played down Pope Francis’ role in the movie telling Mail Online that the pope ‘is not an actor’.

AMBI said filming would start later in 2016 and the company will oversee worldwide distribution for ‘Beyond the Sun’ through its Los Angeles-based international sales division.

Seven Complicated Facts About Women

Men, we just have to keep trying our best. Lol!

Julius Agwu Turns ‘Crippled Beggar’ To Promote Upcoming Show (Photos)

The Ikwere-Rivers State born multi-talented artiste, who is known for his rib-cracking jokes and witty acts, was spotted in the midst of two handicapped beggers yesterday morning.

Apparently, Julius wants to bring them to his show to also have fun like other privileged Nigerians. Some of the stars listed to perform that day are ace songstress, Lady Onyeka Onwenu, Timi Dakolo, Banky W, Waje, Efya, Bez, Mimicko, and popular juju act, Yinka Ayefele and other.

While guests and other fun seekers will be treated to jaw dropping jokes by British comedian, Eddie Kadi, Okey Bakassi, Senator, Dan D Humouros, Seyi Brown, Buchi, Oyinbo Princess, among several others.

The double-header concert will take place at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, on Sunday, February 7, 2016 while the subsequent event will hold in Abuja on Valentine’s Day

Photos From The Rescue Operation Of Bristow Helicopter Crash

A Bristow Helicopter from Port Harcourt en-route Lagos with 9 Passengers and two crew members, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean yesterday February 3rd. Officials of the National Emergency Management Authority NEMA carried out rescue operation at the scene of the incident. All 11 persons on board were rescued alive.

See more photos below:-

What A Milestone! Lionel Messi Scores His 500th Career Goal

Last night, soccer starLionel Messiscored his 500th career goal in the win againstValenciaand he’s still just 28. The breakdown is as follows: 435 goals for Barcelona, 49 goals for Argentina, 14 goals for Argentina U20, and 2 goals for Argentina U23. What a milestone!!

TRAGIC!!! Inferno Occurs As Trailer & Petroleum Tanker Collide On Ibadan-Osun Expressway This Morning

A raging inferno is ongoing at Asejire junction along the Ibadan-Osun expressway after a trailer and a petrol tanker collided this morning. The fire is spreading so fast as men of the Oyo and Osun state fire service are yet to arrive the scene of the incident. Details later.