Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Ugwuonye: Judge Refuses Bail, Former AGF Aondoakaa Denies Troubled Lawyer’s Claims
Ephraim Emeka Igwuonye
By SaharaReporters, New York
An Abuja High Court today denied bail to Maryland-based lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye. The judge ordered that Mr. Ugwuonye be returned to EFCC custody until next week. Mr. Ugwuonye, who was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos in February on his way out of Nigeria, faces charges of fraud.
He has remained in prison custody since then awaiting trial for allegedly confiscating $1.55 million belonging to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC. The incident took place after he was said to have helped the embassy retrieve a refund from the United States Internal Revenue Service following real estate transactions for which he had been completely paid.
EFCC spokesperson Femi Babafemi told SaharReporters that Lagos-based human rights attorney, Mr. Festus Keyamo, is prosecuting the case on behalf of the EFCC.
Mr. Ugwuonye claimed he helped himself to the funds because the Nigerian government owed him attorney fees in two unrelated cases. But according to the latest filings in civil case at the Federal District Court in Washington DC, the embassy vehemently disputes the claim and has stated in court documents that Mr. Ugwuonye stole the tax refunds by misrepresenting the facts of the refund.
In an exhibit tendered in court, lawyers to the Nigerian embassy showed how Ugwuonye withdrew over $550,000 from a client trust account he set up for the purpose in December 2007. A few days later, he wrote to the embassy to state that he would be making the refunds available as soon as the checks cleared.
Meanwhile, former Attorney General of Nigeria, Michael Aondoakaa, has denied that Mr. Ugwuonye had not been paid his fees in the Abdussalam Abubakar case. He told SaharaReporters that after Mr. Ugwuonye and Kayode Oladele, the lawyer who represented the Abiola family in the case met in London to agree to a settlement, his ministry raised a voucher through the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Mr. Aondoakaa said it was after the payment of Mr. Ugwuonye's legal fees (which he determined at the London out-of-court-settlement conference), that Mr. Ugwuonye agreed to disengage from the case. He did not disclose the amount of money paid to him, but strongly denied that Ugwuonye fees were withheld by the Central Bank.
EXHIBITS: 1-
Emeka Ugwuonye creates client account and deposits $1.550 Million in November 2007.
On December 12 2007 Ugwuonye writes Nigeria Embassy in Washington DC to notify them "check would soon clear"
Unknown to the Nigerian Embassy Ugwuonye had withdrawn $550, 000 from the the client trust account while creating the impression that the check yet hadn't cleared
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Comments
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Re:
Submitted by Ara26 (not verified) on December 26, 2011 - 13:38.
he has the right but must prove to himself that he's not guilty.
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You are the most foolish
Submitted by concerned (not verified) on May 12, 2011 - 06:29.
You are the most foolish person on the face of this earth. When has stealing become a civil case? It takes a thief to support a thief....IDIOT!!!
Re: Ugwuonye
Submitted by Lemmuel Odjay (not verified) on April 3, 2011 - 20:30.
My comments of last week on the above stands. If Mr. Ugwuonye is found guilty, he should be made to pay. Now that Mr Michael Aondoakaa is involved, the smell of the fish could only get stronger. Should others be involved, Mr Ugwuonye should please spill their names and ensure they go down with him. No plea bargaining, Mr. Oniovo Festus Keyamo. Good luck (not GEJ's o!).
As for the chances of the PDP winning the presidential election. Even the PDP would be surprised. trust me. Therefore, Nigerians must go all out on Monday to erase the PDP majority in the National Assembly, just in case the PDP wins the Presidential election. When the NASS is securely in the hands of the opposition, and the opposition stands firm on the side of the people of Nigeria, then, PDP would surely implode and, with time, become history.
You are Igbo, then how come
Submitted by Anonymous2 (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 18:06.
You are Igbo, then how come you can't spell your name correctly?.."Okafur" lol
A criminal is a criminal, period!
Submitted by Onitire Okafur (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 11:01.
A criminal is a criminal. Period! This US-based lawyer looks shifty. His whole conduct in the embassy property sale reaks of "iwuruwuru" on his part. Some so-called lawyers are too greedy. They have itchy fingers and want to reap where they did not sow. Let this man face the music and refrain from playing the victim. His supporters should stop being emotional by beating the tribal drum. I'm Igbo and I authorised this statement.
RELEASE THIS MAN!
Submitted by OC (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 09:21.
Reading some of the posts to this article leaves me bewildered! I am bewildered because of the mindsets of Nigerians, including the author (or the reporter) of the article, the EFCC, the Prosecuting counsel and the Judge.
Is this matter not a PURELY CIVIL MATTER? I am sad and disturbed that a poor guy, who went to his home country (Nigeria) on holiday is being maltreated and languishing in detention. And because he is not OKEY NDIBE and because he is not in the good books of SR, he is being made to suffer injustice in the hands of the NIGERIAN (IL)LEGAL AND (IN)JUSTICE SYSTEM.
The guy is a Solicitor (Lawyer or Attorney) for Christ's sake. If he makes withdrawals deemed monies belonging to the Nigerian Government, from his client's account, while believing he is entitled to it, IT IS A CONTENTIOUS MATTER, MEANT, ONLY, FOR A CIVIL COURT TO DECIDE UPON. AND NOT A CRIMINAL COURT IN FAR AWAY NIGERIA.
Moreover, where he has acted contrary to the ETHICS of the Legal Profession, he should be APPROPRIATELY reported by the EMBASSY to the Professional or Regulatory body, AND NOT LEFT IN THE HANDS OF THE EFCC AND THE NIGERIAN (IN)JUSTICE SYSTEM TO MAKE MINCEMEAT OF HIM.
This man should be discharged and released FORTHWITH, while the Nigerian Government, through the EMBASSY, concentrates on the CIVIL ACTION IN THE US.
Nigerians....you all want to
Submitted by Naija Guy (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 08:12.
Nigerians....you all want to kill Jonathan over a deal that does not involve him. What has Jonathan got to do with this guy and the fraud involving him?
You think Ribadu can stamp out corruption? Then you need help,because no one man has the power to stop corruption as it is a collective effort from everyone connected to Nigeria. Most you posting these comments are stealing,defrauding, or commiting one crime or the other where you work or do business. So stop accusing the president and make your points clear.
Hired Hands
Submitted by Jay (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 03:59.
It is so obvious that Buhari has hired writers to confuse SR readers. One article is posted on all the stories. Common guys you are fighting a losing cause. Why would anyone in his right mind vote for Buhari? You might as well join alquieda.
GOVT SHOULD ALSO PROBE THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY.
Submitted by OTELEMUYE (not verified) on April 1, 2011 - 02:45.
ME THINK THE LAWYER IS JUST CARRYING OUT THE INSTRUCTION OF HIS MASTERS, FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS WILL REVEAL WHO AND WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE SALE OF THE DC PROPERTY - (FROM THE THEN MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS- OJO MADUEKE, THE AMBASSADOR AND HIS OFFICIALS), WHY IT WAS SOLD AND HOW THIS GUY DISBURSED THE MONEY. CHECK OUT THE TREND OF WITHDRAWALS.EFCC SHOULD DO A THOROUGH JOB AT UNRAVELLING THOSE BEHIND THIS FRAUD. DEFINITELY THE LAWYER IS NOT ALONE.
@Aremu just few weeks ago two
Submitted by roro (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 23:17.
@Aremu just few weeks ago two Nigerians were convicted in America for fraud and they commited the crime in spain but were extradited to face trail in the US. If this fellow is ur associate just pray for him because he will soon smell the coffee
LETTER TO POLICE, etc To the
Submitted by James Chacis (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 23:13.
LETTER TO POLICE, etc
To the police as friends of the people and other security agents, be on the side of history and do not show any favour to the party that has not seen the reason to make your services better...you retire they fail to give you the gratituity...you die in active service they eat your money...
Think twice and ensure free and fair polls = BB majority!
God is wonderful... A dying
Submitted by James Chacis (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 23:07.
God is wonderful...
A dying party can do many things to survive and BB shall task the police on May 29 to declare those behind bombing of innocent souls in Jos, Minna and the arborted one in Katsina, home of Nigeria's 7th and 15th Head of State.
When the say free and fair election we didn't believe them and God catch them red-handed and they brought a wise guy, Jega who cannot do their magu-magu and they called "religious leaders" last week in Kaduna and we are told public money exchanged hands...police were used to stop BB in campaign plus other machinations that never see the light of the day...intimidation by foolish governors came again...BB moved forcefully and entered such states to see his supporters.
PDP will not relent until they see blood streaming in the corners of Nigeria...God will not allow them, amen!
"This generation of Nigerians and, indeed, future generations have no other country but Nigeria. We must remain here and salvage it together"
Buhari, go in Lord's name...revolutions from Egypt to the south of the Sahara...Nigeria is waiting for your swaering-in, come May 29!
Was this not the guy who was
Submitted by whynotnow (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 22:37.
Was this not the guy who was boasting and threatening Sahara Reporters? Bloody thief, you have met your waterloo.....
No to corruption
Submitted by Doctor Love (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 22:03.
We have to repel corruption
http://www.loversguilde.blogspot.com
PDP MUST GO, WE NEED A DISCIPLINE PRESIDENT NOT GEJ
Submitted by Yom Yom on March 31, 2011 - 21:53.
PDP MUST BE SHOWN THE WAY OUT UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR LIFE TO BE LIKE THE WAY PDP HAS BEEN RULING NIGERIA FOR THE PAST 12YRS, IF YOU ARE HAPPY SAY AMEN IF NOT VOTE THEM OUT, ENOUGH OF FAILURE AND RHETORICS, LIESUPON LIES.
12 REASONS WHY WE MUST REJECT PDP
Submitted by NR (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 21:27.
In 12 years, PDP has been in power; all the party has to show for it are:
• Unemployment
• Insecurity (Assassinations, Bombings, Kidnappings, Political Violence, Terrorism)
• Corruption
• Electoral Fraud
• Power Failure
• Inflation
• Religious Crises
• Poor Leadership (How does a party that can’t address its leadership problems, aspire to lead the country?)
• Educational Decay
• Poor Infrastructure
• Poor Health Services
• Disunity & Failed Promises
If you vote for the PDP, you'll get more of this, and of course, more contempt for democracy, and more neglect of the priorities of Nigerian families and youth. The only alternative to a PDP government is a compassionate, responsible, and responsive government.
See what ACN has done and is doing in Lagos, Osun, Edo, and Ekiti States; Imagine what it will do at the national level!
Visit www.ribadu2011.com
madness
Submitted by aremu (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 20:57.
you cannot arraign a person in nigeria for a crime committed in the usa and has been taken to court in the usa...1.55m?$...ugwuonye...just ignore them...when dey tire...dem go release you...
Question to sane
Submitted by James Chacis (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 20:33.
Question to sane minds....
Who in the history of Nigeria has said this:
"This generation of Nigerians and, indeed, future generations have no other country but Nigeria. We must remain here and salvage it together"
Salvage it from the yoke of the PDP's magu-magu. BB, in Lord's name!
Because of bad leadership, people think they can steal
Submitted by Yom Yom on March 31, 2011 - 20:32.
because of bad leadership people think they can steal any how and get away with it , he knows how nigeria system works, steal billions and you get six months in prison, steal fifty naira and you get ten years in prisonment, that's the kind of democracy PDP led govt is running, the guy doesn't mind of being locked up for few weeks and then he will keep the money, everybody is milking nigeria dry because we have leadership problems,. He can never do that to the American Govt iam very sure.
12 REASONS WHY WE MUST REJECT PDP
Submitted by 12 REASONS WHY WE MUST REJECT PDP (not verified) on March 31, 2011 - 20:05.
12 REASONS WHY WE MUST REJECT PDP
For 12 years, PDP has been in power; all the party has to show for it are:
• Unemployment
• Insecurity (Assassinations, Bombings, Kidnappings, Political Violence, Terrorism)
• Corruption
• Electoral Fraud
• Power Failure
• Inflation
• Religious Crises
• Poor Leadership (How does a party that can’t address its leadership problems, aspire to lead the country?)
• Educational Decay
• Poor Infrastructure
• Poor Health Services
• Disunity & Failed Promises
If you vote for the PDP, you'll get more of these, and of course, more contempt for democracy, and more neglect of the priorities of Nigerian families and youth. The only alternative to a PDP government is a compassionate, responsible, and responsive government.
See what ACN has done and is doing in Lagos, Osun, Edo, and Ekiti States; Imagine what it will do at the national level!
Visit www.ribadu2011.com
