Economy
Court Dismisses Abebe, Co-Defendant’s No-Case Submission In Alleged N120m Fraud
Court Dismisses Abebe, Co-Defendant’s No-Case Submission In Alleged N120m Fraud
Court dismisses Abebe, Co-defendant’s No-Case Submission in alleged N120m fraud. Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Dr. John Abebe and his company, Inducon Nig. Ltd, who are standing trial over an alleged N120m fraud.
The defendants were arraigned on September 19, 2022 on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence and obtaining execution of security by false pretence to the tune of N120m.
One of the counts reads:
“That you, Dr. John Abebe and Kamoru Alade Oladimeji, on or about the 4th day of June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing the sum of N120 million, property of Arsenal Technologies Limited.”
Another count reads: “That you, Dr. John Abebe and Kamoru Alade Oladimeji, on or about the 4th day of June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence the sum of N120 million, property of Arsenal Technologies Limited, under the pretence that your property lying, being and situate at 9, Magbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State, which you pledged as security to Arsenal Technologies Limited, was unencumbered, a representation you knew to be false.”
The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them, thereby leading to their full trial.
During the trial, which commenced in 2022, the prosecution called four witnesses and closed its case on May 15, 2025.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the first and third defendants filed a no-case submission on October 14, 2025, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case linking them to the alleged offences.
Ruling on the application on Thursday, Justice Fadipe held that the court, at the stage of a no-case submission, only determines whether the prosecution has produced legally admissible evidence linking the defendants to the offences charged, and not whether the evidence is sufficient for conviction.
Court
The judge ruled that evidence led by the prosecution indicated that the defendants allegedly obtained about N120 million from the complainant, Arsenal Technologies Limited, by pledging property as security that had earlier been pledged to a bank.
The judge also held that the evidence, if believed, required an explanation from the defendants.
Consequently, the judge dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendants to enter their defence.
The case was adjourned till May28, and June 3, 4, 24 and 25, 2026 for the defendants to open their defence.
Pensioners Threaten Nationwide Protest, Demand Governors Urgently Review Payment
The National Association of Retirees of State Governments has threatened a nationwide protest unless state governors urgently review pension payments in line with existing labour laws.
Simon Anchaver, president of the union, made the call in Yenagoa at the inauguration of the Bayelsa interim executive of the newly registered union.
The union demanded that the 36 state governors prioritise pension payments.
They equally called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a ministry for pension affairs to guarantee annual budgetary allocations for pensioners’ welfare.
Eereporter.com
The union bemoaned the arbitrary payment of pensions by some governors, and commended the Nasarawa state governor for releasing N7 billion to clear pension arrears and gratuity.
Its national secretary, Bipre Ndiomu, said the union was newly registered and currently inaugurating state executives. He urged state governors to put in place the modalities to guarantee the welfare of pensioners across the country.
Protest Demolition
Bayelsa’s head of service, Wisdom Sawyer, urged the executive to serve as a bridge between retirees and the government, adding that the state government was open to engagement on outstanding issues.
The newly inaugurated state chairman, Bazigha Tanwei, accepted the mandate and promised an open-door policy, regular consultations with members, and sustained advocacy with the state government to clear arrears.
Financial Literacy: NNPC Foundation Trains Batch A Stream 2 Corps Members
In continuation of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives on financial literacy, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has conducted its second 2026 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) skills empowerment training for Batch A, Stream 2 corps members at the FCT NYSC Orientation Camp, Kubwa, Abuja, over the weekend.
Delivered in partnership with the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) scheme, the programme covers financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business development. Its training structure also includes a financial literacy test, a “Kick Start My Business” course, and business proposal pitching.
Eereporter.com
Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Emmanuella Arukwe, who was represented by the Head, Programme Management, Rose Okonkwo, noted that over one million corps members have been trained nationwide through the programme.
Acting Director of SAED, Usman Yahaya, commended the NNPC Foundation for its consistent support, urging the corps members to acquire multiple skills during their service year in order to position themselves as job creators and not job seekers.
NNPC, NYSC
It would be recalled that last year, 531 youths received Starter Packs and financial support to help them launch their businesses, with most beneficiaries recording measurable progress across their various enterprises.
The NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte has, through the financial literacy programme, sustained its commitment to preparing young Nigerians towards sustainable careers and self-reliance, contributing to national economic growth and development.
Economy
NNPC: Commissioning, Handover Of Rehabilitated Hospital Wards At National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi
NNPC: Commissioning, Handover Of Rehabilitated Hospital Wards At National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi
This intervention forms part of the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria, ensuring that more patients receive care in decent, functional facilities.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th April 2026, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte., the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of NNPC Limited, will commission and hand over three fully rehabilitated hospital wards with a 100-bed capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State.
Eereporter.com
The event is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am prompt.
NNPC
This intervention forms part of the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria, ensuring that more patients receive care in decent, functional facilities.
Watch the commissioning LIVE on the NNPC Limited YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nnpclimited/streams
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