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Category: Law and Crime

  • Judge dismisses recusal request in Emefiele’s trial

    Judge dismisses recusal request in Emefiele’s trial

    LAGOS — JUSTICE Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, yesterday, dismissed a request for his recusal from the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

    Emefiele is standing trial along with Henry Omoile over an allegation of fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    During the proceedings on Monday, February 24, 2025, the seventh prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, testified that he received $400,000 from John Ayoh and delivered it to Emefiele in his office.

    The prosecution also sought to verify WhatsApp messages allegedly printed from Omoile’s phone.

    However, the defence objected, arguing that the document had only been admitted for identification and should not be considered as evidence.

    Despite the defence opposition, Justice Oshodi permitted the witness to read from the document.

    Subsequently, the defence, led by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, applied for the judge to recuse himself, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.

    Ojo said: “A judge can be either consciously or unconsciously biased. At this stage, I urge the court to recuse itself.”

    Omoile’s lawyer, Gbadamosi Kazeem, supported Ojo’s submission.

    However, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the application, insisting that the proceedings had been conducted fairly and equitably.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until Wednesday, February 26, 2025, to rule on whether  he would withdraw from the case.

    Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, the judge held that the allegations of bias were unsubstantiated and that there was no evidence to justify his withdrawal.

    After reviewing the arguments and legal authorities cited, he ruled that the application lacked merit and dismissed it.

    “The claims of bias have not been substantiated by either of the defendants. Accordingly, the first and second defendants’ recusal application is refused,” Justice Oshodi ruled.

  • International fraud syndicates establishing cells in Nigeria – EFCC

    International fraud syndicates establishing cells in Nigeria – EFCC

    The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, says organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting youths into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

    EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    He explained that Olukoyede said this while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said the team was led by the institute’s director of studies, Hyginus Ngele, to the commission.

    Olukoyede expressed surprise at how bandits and insurgents were able to sustain their activities in the country over the years.

    He noted with concern the rate of flow of small arms and light weapons across the borders and the involvement of non-state actors in the illegal exploitation of minerals in parts of the country.

    The EFCC boss said all these activities compounded the threats in the security landscape.

    “Another dimension that is not given attention is the discovery, recently, that organised foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities.

    ”They are recruiting young Nigerians into serious organised cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

    ”By the virtue of EFCC’s recent discovery, we are beginning to see the likelihood, the propensity that a lot of these people are into illegal importation of arms into the country using cryptocurrency as a means of payment. ”

    According to him, this is an area that must interest all of us.

    “In the special operations we carried out in Lagos recently, we arrested 194 foreigners in the heart of Victoria Island.

    ”They comprised Chinese, Filipinos, Eastern Europeans, Tunisians and others in one building at a time. You can imagine what these guys are doing, 194 of them.

    ”Some of them don’t even have valid visas, and most of the financial activities they carried out were through cryptocurrency,” he said.

    He said the commission also discovered that some of the foreigners arrested were already ex-convicts in their countries.

    ”Some of them have been convicted and escaped from their countries and found safe haven in Africa, not only Nigeria.

    ”We discovered that they are also developing cells in some other African countries by virtue of the investigation we are carrying out,” he said.

    The EFCC boss called for spirited efforts at both national and continental levels to combat the menace of internet fraud.

    He stressed that the money laundering and national security dimension of the presence of foreign organised crime groups demanded close scrutiny.

    “All security, intelligence and law enforcement organisations in Nigeria and indeed Africa must close ranks in dealing with this challenge,” he said.

    Earlier, the NISS commandant, Joseph Odama, who spoke through Ngele, praised Olukoyede’s leadership of the EFCC for the commission’s “remarkable achievements in combating corruption, money laundering, and other financial crimes.”

    He noted that the achievements had not only strengthened Nigeria’s integrity but also served as a model for other nations in Africa and beyond.

    He said the EFCC, under Olukoyede, had been at the forefront of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, including those involving non-state actors.

    “Your commission’s exploratory activities have uncovered the intricate networks through which some NGOs and other entities channel funds to support hostile non-state actors, thereby fuelling instability in various parts of the country and the African continent.

    “We recognise the critical role the EFCC plays in disrupting these networks and ensuring accountability.

    ”In light of this, we are particularly interested in hearing your insights on how your commission navigates the complexities of investigating and prosecuting cases involving non-state actors.

    “We also seek your contributions on how Nigeria and other African nations can strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to address the challenges posed by these actors while promoting transparency and accountability in their operations.” (NAN)

  • NAFDAC to reopen sealed drug markets in Abia today

    NAFDAC to reopen sealed drug markets in Abia today

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC, will today, February 26, unseal all the sections of Ariaria International Market, Eziukwu Market and Tenant Road drugs markets earlier sealed by the agency over alleged involvement in the dispensing of fake and expired drugs.

    However, any shop found to be culpable will remain sealed according to government sources.

    The decision to unseal the affected markets was reached after intense negotiations between the agency and Gov. Alex Otti.

    Otti, who disclosed this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, said that those involved in the production and marketing of fake drugs would be decisively dealt with.

    The statement made available to Vanguard read: “The Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti has after prolonged discussions and engagements with the authorities of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) at the highest level secured the commitment of the Agency to reopen/unseal all the sections of Ariaria International Market, Eziukwu Market and Tenant Road Drug Market who have been investigated and proven not to be involved in the production and selling of adulterated, expired and fake drugs including consumable products to the public.

    “The reopening/unsealing exercise will be performed by the NAFDAC Director, South-East Zone on the 26th day of February, 2025. The shops found culpable in the wicked, callous and unholy dealings will remain sealed and under lock and key until the perpetrators are brought to justice or justice is taken to them.

    “The Abia State Government frowns at the practice of producing or selling poisonous substance to the citizens in the name of business and will continue to partner and support NAFDAC until the State is completely cleared of fake, adulterated and expired drugs including other consumable products and the culprits arrested to face the full weight of the law.”

    NAFDAC has been raiding drug markets across the country in a renewed war against fake and adulterated drugs.

    Tens of truckloads of fake and adulterated drugs have been evacuated from Aba, Onitsha in Anambra and Idumota in Lagos.

    NAFDAC has vowed to deal with perpetrators of expired and adulterated products in the country.

  • EFCC operatives arrest bank staff in court

    EFCC operatives arrest bank staff in court

    The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, arrested Mr Chinenye Duru, a Polaris Bank staff member, in a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    The arrest came shortly after Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned an alleged fraud charge filed by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police against Polaris Bank Plc and Duru until May 14 for adoption.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the I-G had, in the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/603/2023, preferred an 11-count money laundering offence against Polaris Bank Plc and Duru, an account officer to Mr Victor Onukogu, the nominal complainant.

    They were named in the charge as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    NAN reports that Onukogu, also known as “Daddy Hezekiah”, is the spiritual head of Living Christ Mission Church, Onitsha, in Anambra.

    In count one of the charge, Polaris Bank and Duru were alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn N16 billion and N500 million from Onukogu Victor Hezekiah’s account numbers: 1040495455 and 1060104735, domiciled with the bank, between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug. 14, 2023.

    The offence, the anti-graft agency said, contravened the provisions of Section 21(a) and is punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

    In count four, the defendants were alleged to have, between Nov. 17, 2017, and Aug. 14, 2023, fraudulently withdrawn N75.534 million from Onukogu’s account number: 4010023601, contrary to Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

    In count six, they were alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn N13.3 million from Hezekiah University’s account number: 40910106770.

    The defendants were also alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn N16.3 million between the same date from Hezekiah University’s account number 411054152 without any authorisation from the account owner to convert same to their own personal use contrary to the Money Laundering Act, among other counts.

    Earlier, O S. Kara, who appeared for the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), informed the court that after the office of the AGF took over the case and after reviewing the case, the AGF withdrew the charge.

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    Mr Chidi Ezenwafor, who represented Duru, disagreed with Kara’s application to withdraw the charge.

    Ezenwafor told the court that the request to withdraw the charge was an attempt to re-arrest his client.

    He said the charge was filed in 2023, and when Duru was arrested then, he was detained for about two months before he was released after a court order.

    The lawyer, therefore, sought to apply in response to the AGF’s request.

    Justice Ekwo, who ordered Ezenwafor to file his application and serve the prosecution, directed the AGF lawyer to also respond appropriately.

    The judge then adjourned the matter until May 14 for adoption.

    However, shortly after Duru and his family members came out of Court 5, where the proceeding was heard, the EFCC operatives, who had laid ambush outside the court, wanted to arrest him, and he ran back into the courtroom.

    Although Justice Ekwo was already on another matter, there was confusion in the court as security details attached to the judge blocked the EFCC operatives from arresting Duru inside the courtroom.

    Duru’s lawyer, who was still inside the court, called the attention of the judge to their plights.

    Ezenwafor, while addressing the court, said the event outside the court had just confirmed his earlier submission.

    He said security officers of the anti-graft agency were in and around the court to arrest his client.

    He said the action of the EFCC was in contempt of court and amounted to sacrilege, even when the matter was still pending before the court and the matter had just been adjourned for hearing.

    Justice Ekwo, who directed Duru to sit down in the courtroom, ordered the EFCC operatives not to arrest him in court.

    The judge said if Duru was needed, the commission should formally invite him, and if he didn’t come, that would be a different case.

    The judge then told his security detail not to allow anyone to arrest the defendant in court.

    After the court sitting and the judge rose, some of the commission’s officers entered the courtroom to engage Duru in conversation, but the court security details did not allow them to take him away.

    NAN reports that despite the judge’s intervention, operatives of the anti-corruption commission stood their ground as they positioned themselves on the 3rd floor of the high-rise building where Court 5 is located. (NAN)

  • Hit-and-run driver kills 12-year-old student in Lagos, injures sibling

    Hit-and-run driver kills 12-year-old student in Lagos, injures sibling

    A driver yet to be identified hit two female siblings returning from school on Monday along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

    The driver, according to a statement on Tuesday by the Lagos police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin, was plying the BRT lane at high speed when he hit the siblings at Ogundare bus stop.

    “On Monday, February 24, 2025 at about 1535hrs, a yet-to-be-identified driver, while plying the BRT lane on high speed at Ogundare bus-stop along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, hit two female pedestrians, siblings aged 12 and 15, on their way back from school,” the statement said.

    “The accident victims sustained serious degrees of injuries and were quickly evacuated to Orile Agege General Hospital for treatment, where the 12-year-old sadly passed on while receiving treatment, while the other victim was later transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for further treatment.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare M. Jimoh while disclosing that a speedy, detailed and conclusive investigation has since commenced, hereby calls on road users, particularly motorists, to strictly comply with traffic rules/laws, speed limits and safe driving practices.”

    The police commissioner, the statement said, commiserated with the bereaved family and said the police would get to the root of the matter and ensure justice is served.

  • 25-year-old stabs husband to death in Bauchi over child custody

    25-year-old stabs husband to death in Bauchi over child custody

    A resident of Nadabo village in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State has allegedly stabbed her husband to death following a domestic dispute.

    Police spokesman of Bauchi Command, Ahmed Wakil, said in a statement that the couple had been having problems regarding custody of their daughter from a previous relationship.

    “In February 24, 2025, the Bauchi State Police Command apprehended Salamatu Danjuma, a 25-year-old resident of Nadabo village in Tafawa Balewa LGA, in connection with the unfortunate death of her husband, following a domestic dispute,” the statement said.

    “Preliminary investigations reveal that the couple had been facing ongoing marital challenges regarding the custody of Salamatu’s six-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.

    “Despite initial discussions with her family that seemed to favour welcoming the child into their home, the husband later refused, which heightened tensions between them.

    “The situation escalated drastically when Salamatu, feeling cornered by her husband’s refusal and in a moment of heated argument, used a knife from their bedroom, resulting in a tragic outcome.

    “Responding swiftly to a distress call, detectives from the Bununu Police Divisional Headquarters drafted to the scene.

    “They evacuated the victim to the Cottage Hospital in Bununu for immediate medical assistance. Unfortunately, the attending medical staff later confirmed the husband’s death due to the injuries sustained.”

    Wakil further noted that the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to conduct a thorough and discreet inquiry into the matter.

  • Two arrested for murder of woman accused of witchcraft in Borno

    Two arrested for murder of woman accused of witchcraft in Borno

    The Biu Police Area Command has detained two suspects in connection with the murder of a 50-year-old woman accused of witchcraft practices.

    The Commissioner of Police, Borno Command, Mr Yusuf Lawan confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) via telephone interview on Saturday.

    Lawan said the woman, Hajara Saleh, was murdered on February 21 in the Bantine community in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Ja’o Muhammad, Idrisa Muhammad and Ya’u Muhammad aged between 20 and 30 years.

    The commissioner said the suspects allegedly conspired to kill the victim, accusing her of practising witchcraft and bringing misfortune to the community.

    Lawan said the woman sustained injuries on her neck, legs, and hands, resulting in her death.

    He said that the police were alerted of the alleged crime by residents of Dadinkowa Gunda ward who reported the incident at about 11:00 a.m.

    “Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered that the victim had already been buried according to Islamic rites by her husband, Saleh Bole, and other family members,” the commissioner said.

    Lawan explained that despite the burial, police investigators managed to photograph the victim’s remains and gather critical evidence.

    He added that two suspects were arrested immediately, while one was still at large, assuring that the police had launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

    The commissioner described the attack as barbaric and unjustified, warning that accusations of witchcraft should not be used as an excuse for violence or extrajudicial killings.

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    “The police are fully committed to bringing all those responsible for this heinous crime to justice. The public must understand that the law does not permit people to take matters into their own hands,” he said

    According to him, the suspects are facing charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and other related offences, noting that they would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

    Lawan therefore, urged community members to report suspicions of witchcraft or other grievances to the police rather than resorting to jungle justice. (NAN)

  • [Updated] Assault: Court grants Portable N2m bail, adjourns till March 5

    [Updated] Assault: Court grants Portable N2m bail, adjourns till March 5

    An Ogun State Magistrate Court, sitting in Abeokuta on Thursday, granted the controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, a bail of N2 million.

    Portable was arraigned for alleged assault on the government officials.

    Portable had walked into the Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Lagos Command, on Wednesday morning after he was declared wanted by the Ogun Command.

    He was later transferred to the Ogun Command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta.

    The Zazoo-zeh crooner was arraigned on a five-count charge, which includes conspiracy, assault and restriction, armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    His protégés – nine in number – were arraigned for similar charges on February 6.

    The nine suspects are Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Samuel Adeleke, 28; Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Fatimo Muhammed, 26.

    They allegedly assaulted, restricted and obstructed one Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef and Akinpelumi Oyero, who are town planners.

    The defendants and Portable allegedly assaulted the three town planning officers while performing their lawful duties at Odogwu Bar, owned by the popular hip-hop musician.

    After pleading not guilty to the charges, his counsel, Oluwatoyin Ayodele, urged the court to grant him bail.

    Ayodele assured the court of the suspect’s remorse, after which Magistrate O. L. Oke granted him N2 million bail with one surety and adjourned the case till March 5 for trial.

  • Police arraign Portable for assault

    Police arraign Portable for assault

    Controversial street singer, Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned at an Ogun State Magistrate Court sitting Isabo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

    The singer was declared wanted by police command in Ogun State, on February 18 in connection with an alleged assault on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).

    Portable surrendered himself to the police in Lagos on Wednesday, was handed over to the Ogun state police command and presented in court on Thursday to face charges.

    The controversy began on February 5 when OGPDPA officials attempted to seal Portable’s bar due to a lack of approved permits and insufficient air space.

    Portable allegedly led a gang in a violent attack on the unarmed officials, who sustained injuries but managed to escape.

    The altercation led to the arrest and arraignment of nine of Portable’s associates on a five-count charge, including armed violence, felony, obstruction, assault, and intent to kill.

    Details later…….

  • Enugu: Police arrests two for alleged murder in Oruku community

    Enugu: Police arrests two for alleged murder in Oruku community

    Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Nigerian Police Force, Enugu State Command, have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged murder of one Mr. Ejike Nnaji.

    The suspects, identified as Donatus Ani (aka Eneniyi) and Chidiebere Ani (aka Mpempe), were apprehended by the operatives on January 12, 2025, at their Akpuoga residence following credible intelligence.

    They allegedly conspired, ambushed, and murdered Mr. Ejike Nnaji, a native of Oruku in Nkanu East L.G.A., on December 14, 2024. They were also accused of stealing his mobile phone and motorcycle before dumping his remains in a well within an abandoned compound in the area.

    The suspects are believed to be members of a large gang involved in an internecine war in Oruku Community between 2019 and 2022, during which many lives were lost and over 150 houses were burnt down.

    For the past four years, the suspects allegedly terrorized the community, engaging in violent crimes such as killing innocent people, kidnapping for ransom, vandalizing homes, and forcefully harvesting economic crops and palm trees.

    Meanwhile, it was recalled that the late Ejike Nnaji was ambushed and shot dead on December 14, 2024, at the Eziobodo axis of Oruku Community. His remains were dumped in a well in one of the abandoned compounds in the neighborhood while the suspects allegedly took his phone and motorcycle.

    A report on the incident was officially made on December 15, 2024, by the Caretaker Committee of Oruku Community at Idodo Police Station.

    The prompt response of Idodo Police officers led to the recovery of the corpse from the well, after which the case was transferred to the state command for further investigation.

    Intelligence gathering and swift action by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu Police Command led to the arrest of the two gang members.

    The arrested suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime and mentioned other members still at large. They identified the gang leader and sponsor as Ejike Mba (aka Terrorist) and named other accomplices, including Chukwuebuka Ogbo, Okechukwu Nwatu (aka Osinaikuku), Aloysius Nnaona, Onyeka Ugwu (aka Dakpada), and Ifeanyi Charles Okenwa (aka Nwandumma).

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    In their confessional statement, Chidiebere Ani (aka Mpempe) told the police that they had four AK-47 rifles in their possession for their criminal activities.

    They revealed that the firearms were kept in the possession of one Okwudili Ani.

    The police attempted to arrest Okwudili Ani in Umuode Community, but he managed to escape and is currently on the run.

    At the time of filing this report, the two arrested suspects had been arraigned before the Enugu North Magistrate Court on four counts and were remanded at the Enugu Correctional Center.

    The remains of Mr. Ejike Nnaji are still in the morgue.

    Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mba, has reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for crime and criminality in the state.

    The people of Oruku have heaved a sigh of relief over this development and urged the police command not to relent in apprehending the remaining criminals and bringing them to justice. They also called for an investigation into the source of the weapons in the suspects’ possession.