Category: Law and Crime

  • Alleged N7.1bn Fraud: FG gets nod to appeal stoppage of ex-Gov Kalu’s trial

    Alleged N7.1bn Fraud: FG gets nod to appeal stoppage of ex-Gov Kalu’s trial

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, gave the Federal Government the nod to challenge the judgement that barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from reopening the trial of a former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

    The appellate court, in two separate rulings by a three-member panel of Justices, granted an extension of time to enable FG to file processes to set-aside the September 29, 2021, judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which stopped the EFCC from prosecuting the former governor who is currently representing Abia North in the Senate.

    It will be recalled that Kalu, who piloted the affairs of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, was earlier convicted and handed a 12-year jail term by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court.

    The trial court convicted him alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and a former Director of Finance in the state, Mr. Jones Udeogu, over an allegation that they pilfered about N7.1billion from the Abia State treasury.

    However, following an appeal that was lodged by Udeogu, the Supreme Court quashed his conviction and remitted the case-file back for retrial.

    A seven-man panel of justices of the apex court noted that trial Justice Mohammed Idris was already elevated to the Court of Appeal as at the time he sat and delivered the judgement that convicted the defendants.

    It held that Justice Idris was no longer a judge of the High Court as at December 5, 2019, the day Kalu and his co-defendants were found guilty of the money laundering charge against them.

    According to the Supreme Court, Justice Idris, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal before then, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge.

    Based on the judgement in favour of Udeogu, Kalu, who was already serving his jail term, through his lawyer, Prof. Awa Kalu, SAN, applied to be released from the Kuje correctional center.

    Shortly after the former governor was released from prison, the EFCC moved to re-arraign him and his co-defendants again.

    Dissatisfied with the move, both Kalu and his firm filed separate suits to challenge their retrial.

    Kalu argued that allowing the EFCC to try him afresh on the charge and same facts upon which he was earlier convicted and sentenced, would occasion him to suffer a “double jeopardy”.

    According to him, “The unassailable position of the law is that no person who shows that he has been tried by any court of competent jurisdiction or tribunal for a criminal offence and either convicted or acquitted, shall again be tried for that offence having the same ingredients as that offence, save upon the order or a competent Court.

    “The trial of the Applicant having been pronounced a nullity by the Supreme Court in its judgment dated the 8th day of May, 2020 and without more, cannot entitle the EFCC to institute the same charge against the Applicant.”

    Canvassing reasons why his trial should not commence de-novo (afresh), Kalu, said he was earlier convicted and sentenced with respect to the same 36-count charge the EFCC entered against him.

    “That following the conviction and sentence of the Applicant, the Applicant was incarcerated at the Kuje Correctional Centre where he served part of his term having spent a few days in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre”.

    He noted that the Supreme Court had in the judgement it delivered on May 8, 2020, on Appeal No: SC.62C/2019, which was filed by his co-defendant, Udeogu, held that the trial of the Appellant at the trial Court was conducted without jurisdiction.

    He argued that the apex court thereafter, only ordered the retrial of the Appellant (Udeogu), without reference to himself (Kalu).

    He, therefore, prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining FG, through the EFCC or its agents, from further trying, harassing and intimidating  him with respect to the charge or any other charge based on the same facts “as the Applicant need not suffer double jeopardy.”

    Meanwhile, in a judgement he delivered on September 29, 2021, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the high court upheld Kalu’s argument and barred the anti-graft agency from re-opening his case.

    Following an appeal that was lodged by FG, the Court of Appeal, on March 6, 2024, halted the move to retry the former governor.

    The appellate court held that the record of appeal FG transmitted before it, was incompetent as it was not neither stamped nor the official designation of the person that signed it, indicated.

    The appellate court held that the flaw in the record that was brought before it, vitiated the competence of the entire appeal.

    Not happy with the decision, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court, where it obtained a favourable ruling on Friday.

    Justice Ishaq Sanni, who read the ruling, dismissed as lacking in merit, objections that were raised against the appeal by ex-governor Kalu and his firm.

    He held that the appellate court merely struck out the case on technical ground, a decision that could not be regarded as a judgement on the merit of the appeal.

    According to the Supreme Court, FG was right to seek leave for an extension of time since the three months allowed for an aggrieved party to file an appeal, had elapsed.

    It, therefore, gave FG 14 days to file its notice of appeal.

  • 64-yr- old lawyer allegedly shoots 16-yr-old student to death in Imo

    64-yr- old lawyer allegedly shoots 16-yr-old student to death in Imo

    Owerri – The Imo State Police Command on Friday said it has arrested 64-year-old
    Barrister Donald Mbamah, over alleged shooting to death a 16-year-old student of Urban Development Secondary School, Owerri, Paul Victor.

    The Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri.

    It should be recalled that the incident which was said to have happened last Monday, an eyewitness said that the diseased had jumped over the fence into the suspect compound to retrieve a football when he was shot at the buttocks. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

    However, the Police said it’s still investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.

    According to the command, “The Imo State Police Command has arrested Barrister Donald Mbamah, a 64-year-old man, in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old student, Paul Victor, on March 17, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 12:34 PM at Mbamah’s residence located at Area N, World Bank, New-Owerri. The victim, a student of Urban Development Secondary School, was allegedly shot in the buttocks under circumstances that are still under investigation.

    “Police operatives from the New Owerri Division, led by the DPO, swiftly responded to a distress call from a concerned neighbor who heard the gunshot. They arrived at the scene, apprehended the suspect, and rushed the victim, Paul Victor, to General Hospital, Umuguma for treatment. Despite efforts to save him, the victim was confirmed dead on March 20, 2025.”

    The police added that; “Following the incident, Barrister Donald Mbamah was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for questioning. A thorough investigation is ongoing, and the police are working to recover the alleged firearm used in the shooting. Photographs were also taken at the crime scene as part of the investigation.

    “The Imo State Police Command expresses its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and assures the public that justice will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law. The suspect will be arraigned in court once investigations are completed and sufficient evidence is gathered.”

    “The Command also call on the public to refrain from taking laws into their hands and allow the police and relevant authorities to handle the matter through legal means,” he said.

  • Electoral fraud: Court grants jailed Prof Uduk bail pending appeal

    Electoral fraud: Court grants jailed Prof Uduk bail pending appeal

    UYO – THE High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has granted bail pending the determination of appeal to Ignatius Uduk, the Professor of Human Kinetics sentenced to three years imprisonment for electoral fraud.

    Justice Bassey Nkanang of the High Court in Uyo had in a 5 February judgement convicted the retired University of Uyo don for electoral fraud during his engagement as Collation/Returning Officer for Essien Udim State Constituency seat in the 2019 General Elections.

    The judgement was delivered in Suit No: HU/240c/2020 brought before the court by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against Prof Uduk.

    Subsequently in a ruling, Thursday, on a bail application brought before the High Court In Uyo, Justice Okon Okon granted Prof Uduk bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum resident within the court’s jurisdiction pending the appeal against his conviction.

    The judge said his decision was based on the applicant’s critical health condition, forbidding Prof Uduk, however, from travelling out of the country within the period of bail, adding that he must deposit his international passport with the court.

    INEC was represented in the Court by Daniel Nwike while Prof Uduk was represented by Kalu Umeh (SAN), Sen. Ita Enang, Dr. Joe Udoinyang and George Ezegwu.

    Enang, after the court ruling, said: “We are taking urgent steps to perfect the conditions of the bail, while same time working assiduously to make sure the appeal entered the Court of Appeal soon.

    “The records have been completely compiled and being transmitted to the Court of Appeal for expeditious prosecution of the Appeal.

    “So, we are very grateful to the Court and we are taking every step to make sure the conditions of bail are perfected and the applicant is released from custody pending the appeal.”

    INEC’s legal team declined comment on the ruling.

  • Man stabs wife to death in Lagos

    Man stabs wife to death in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested a man for allegedly stabbing his 38-year-old wife to death.

    The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

    Hundeyin said that the incident happened on Wednesday, at Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi in the Badagry area of the state.

    He said  detectives from Morogbo Division were informed about the incident and went to the scene.

    “A team of detectives while on surveillance township monitoring patrol at Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi, got information that the suspect had stabbed his wife to death.

    “The team swiftly raced to the scene and apprehended the suspect.

    “A kitchen knife stained with blood was recovered from him.

    “He was brought down to the station and interrogated accordingly, ” he said.

    The image maker said that the suspect
    confessed to have committed the crime.

    The spokesperson said that the corpse had been removed and deposited at the morgue in Badagry General Hospital  for preservation.

    According to him, the case will be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Yaba,for further action

  • Fake number plates: FRSC records 7,798 arrests in 2 months

    Fake number plates: FRSC records 7,798 arrests in 2 months

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)  said it arrested 7,798 individuals in two months for offences related to fake vehicle number plates.

    The FRSC Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, revealed the statistics during a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on FRSC in Abuja on Wednesday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was prompted by concerns over the noticeable proliferation of fake vehicle number plates in the country which poses a significant threat to public safety.

    In addition to that, it also highlighted FRSC’s focus on addressing critical issues affecting road safety and national security.

    A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide on Wednesday in Abuja added that Mohammed sought the National Assembly’s support for the Corps’ efforts.

    The Corps Marshal briefed the  Members on the general efforts instituted to clamp down on fake vehicle registration numbers amidst serious resistance by owners of vehicles with such fake number plates.

    He assured the Chairman and Members of the Committee of his commitment to improving the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Portal by ensuring that no vehicle with fake registration is allowed to be driven on Nigerian roads.

    “FRSC’s proactiveness came after recording a staggering 7,798 arrests of number plates related offenses in just two months,”he said.

    Speaking on the necessity of the ongoing clampdown, Mohammed informed the Committee that FRSC’s statistics reveal a disturbing trend of number plate-related offences, with many motorists flouting the law by using fake or unauthorised number plates.

    “This trend according to the Corps Marshal, poses significant security risks, as it hinders efforts to track and identify vehicles involved in crimes by security agencies,” he said.

    He, however, appreciated the support of the National Assembly, describing it as a significant milestone in the battle against fake number plates.

    He beckoned on them to work with the FRSC by strengthening existing laws and regulations that would ensure that offenders are brought to justice.

    The Corps Marshal, however, commended the National Assembly for its commitment to road safety and national security.

    He urged Nigerians to support FRSC’s efforts by obtaining genuine number plates and reporting any instances of fake number plates to the nearest FRSC Command.

    Speaking, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FRSC, Honourable Abiodun Adesida, assured the Corps Marshal of the National Assembly’s support for the FRSC’s efforts, describing the crackdown as a step in the right direction.

  • Alleged N1.36bn fraud rocks Edo Urban Water Corporation

    Alleged N1.36bn fraud rocks Edo Urban Water Corporation

    An uneasy calm has engulfed the Edo Urban Water Corporation following a petition accusing its management of alleged involvement in a N1.361 billion contract fraud.

    The petition, written by a staff member, Mr Christopher Abhulimen, and addressed to Gov. Monday Okpebholo on Feb 6, alleged misappropriation of public funds through poorly executed and fictitious contracts.

    Abhulimen listed eight questionable projects, including a N700 million pipeline network for Ugboha and Uromi, N23 million for Abico pumping station, and N120 million for potable water at Emotan Garden Estate.

    Other projects include N150 million for reactivating water schemes in Etsako and Akoko-Edo, N150 million for pipe supply, N15 million for chemical supply, N160 million for Ugboha Dam management, and N43 million from the alleged illegal sale of ductile pipes.

    The petitioner urged the governor to launch a thorough investigation into the projects and Mrs Adeboyega’s role in the alleged financial mismanagement.

    Responding to the allegations, the management denied any wrongdoing, saying one Robinson Akhenoba had written a rejoinder on the matter.

    In the rejoinder, which she forwarded, Akhenoba dismissed the claims as misleading and urged the governor to rely on verified facts rather than “manipulative tactics and misinformation.”

    “Prioritising facts over baseless claims will ensure justice,” Akhenoba stated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the controversy has heightened tensions within the corporation as stakeholders await the government’s response to the allegations.

  • EFCC nabs Bauchi accountant general over alleged N70bn fraud

    EFCC nabs Bauchi accountant general over alleged N70bn fraud

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Alhaji Sirajo Mohammed Jaja, the Accountant General of Bauchi State, for his alleged involvement in a N70 billion fraud.

    The arrest, which took place in Abuja on Wednesday, also involved Aliyu Abubakar, an unlicensed bureau de change operator associated with Jasfad Resources Enterprise, and Sunusi Ibrahim Sambo, a Point of Sale (PoS) operator.

    The trio is under investigation for alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds, and misappropriation of state resources.

    Sources within the commission revealed, “Investigations have shown that cash withdrawals totalling N59 billion were made through various bank accounts opened and operated by the Accountant General on behalf of the state government. The funds were subsequently transferred to Abubakar and Sambo, who then made cash payments to party agents and associates of the governor. Abubakar, the bureau de change operator, had previously jumped bail and has now been rearrested.”

    When contacted, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, confirmed the arrests and indicated that the investigation is linked to the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed.

  • Alleged N3.4bn cyber fraud: EFCC docks Chinese, Nigerian

    Alleged N3.4bn cyber fraud: EFCC docks Chinese, Nigerian

    The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, has dragged a Nigerian, two Chinese, and their company, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, over alleged N3.4 billion fraud and conspiracy to destabilise Nigeria’s economic structure.

    The defendants are Huang Haoyu, Friday Audu, An Hongxu and a company, Gentting International Ltd.

    The defendants are standing trial before Justice Daniel Osiagor on a 12-count charge of cybercrime. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The prosecutor, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, told the court that the defendants committed the offence sometime in 2024 in Lagos.

    They were alleged to have conspired to commit the offence with one Dualiang Pan, who is now at large, to procured Nigerian youths, to falsely represent themselves as persons of foreign nationalities.

    They were alleged to have procured one Chukwuemeka Okeke, to retain the sum of $1.2 million in his crypto wallet, which sum they ought to know forms part of fraudulent activities.

    They were alleged to have procured one Alhassan Garba and Ifesinaci Jacobs, to retain the sum of $1.3 million in their crypto wallet, being proceeds of crime.

    They were also alleged to have retained in the Union Bank account of Gentting International Ltd, the sum of N3.4 billion, which also forms part of proceeds of their fraudulent activities.

    The prosecutor, alleged that they transferred among others, the sums of N106 million, and N913 million, to Dualiang’s UBA account, which also forms proceeds of their fraudulent activities.

    The transfer, as well as several other transfers, were said to be made from Gentting Ltd. EFCC alleged that they engaged in this foreign exchange, without going through the official foreign exchange market authorised by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    All monies were said to have formed part of proceeds of their fraudulent activities.
    The offences contravenes the provisions of Section 29(2) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2004.

    It also contravenes the provisions of sections 18 and 27 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition) Act 2015, as well as section 18(2)(d) and 21(c) of the Money Laundering Act 2021.

    The court adjourned the case until March 20, for hearing of the defendants’ bail application.
    He ordered the defendants to be remanded in EFCC’s custody pending bail.

  • Police arrest man for allegedly strangling girlfriend to death in A-Ibom

    Police arrest man for allegedly strangling girlfriend to death in A-Ibom

    UYO—OPERATIVES of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for allegedly strangling her girlfriend, identified as Emem Effanga, to death in her apartment over phone.

    The Police Public Relations officer, Timfon John, in a statement, yesterday, said the suspect was arrested in a church in Uyo, where he attempted to escape to upon sighting police operatives.

    Her words: “Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested one Ndifreke Nelson for alleged murder of his girlfriend, Emem Effanga (39) and stealing her mobile phone after committing the crime.
    “Sometime in February 2025, the command received a report that the deceased was found dead in her apartment under suspicious circumstances.

    “Upon arrival at the scene, operatives observed visible marks of violence on her face and neck, suggesting she had been strangled and beaten to death.

    “The scene was processed, evidence documented and the body was evacuated to the hospital, where she was confirmed clinically dead by medical personnel. The corpse was, thereafter, deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

    “Following swift investigations, detectives traced the last person seen with the deceased to be Ndifreke Nelson, who had visited her residence on February 6, 2025, the morning of his birthday.”

    The PPRO added that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to visiting the victim that morning and demanding to use her phone to take pictures for his birthday celebration on social media, and when she refused, a struggle ensued, during which he overpowered her, strangled her and struck her head on the floor with his fist, leaving her unconscious before fleeing with her phone.

    “One Itel Super Phone, belonging to the deceased, was recovered from him at the time of arrest. A post-mortem examination has been conducted, and the cause of death has been officially documented by a pathologist. The suspect will be charged to court.”

    “The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, has assured that justice will be served and warned against all forms of domestic violence and criminal acts. He urges the public to remain security conscious and report suspicious activities to the Police,” John further stated.

  • Four suspected kidnappers shot dead in gun battle with police in Delta

    Four suspected kidnappers shot dead in gun battle with police in Delta

    ASABA—FOUR suspected kidnappers have been shot dead in a gun battle with operatives of the Delta State Police Command.

    Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr Bright Edafe, confirmed this in a statement, yesterday, saying one AK-47 rifle with one magazine was recovered.

    He said operatives of the CP Special Assignment team had earlier arrested one suspect when he was seeking to buy AK-47 rifle ammunition on March 9, 2025, about 11.30p.m.

    The statement disclosed that “the suspect during interrogation revealed the the location where the rifle was hidden. The operatives stormed the bush along the railway line in Agbarho where the gang members upon sighting the Police engaged the team in a fierce gun duel, during which four suspected kidnappers sustained gunshot injuries. One AK-47 rifle with one magazine was recovered.

    “The injured suspects were taken to the General Hospital, Ughelli for treatment but were later confirmed dead by the doctor.

    “Corpses have been deposited at the hospital morgue while the effort to trail and arrest the fleeing hoodlums is ongoing.”

    Meanwhile, Edafe in the statement also disclosed that operatives of the command have arrested one suspected kidnapper at a bush in Ibasa community, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

    He said: “On 12/3/2025, about 11p.m., an indigene of Ibusa (name withheld) reported at Ibusa Police station that his friend’s wife was kidnapped on 7/3/2025 and a ransom was paid and that he was the person who delivered the ransom and other food items to the kidnappers.

    “Acting on useful information provided by the said man the DPO Ibusa Police Station swiftly mobilised the patrol team of Ibusa division alongside vigilantes and stormed the bush where the suspect Abdulahi Isah was arrested. The suspect is in custody and the investigation is ongoing.”