Metro

753 Duplexes: Abuja Court Admits Emefiele To N2bn Bail

Published

1 month ago

June 16, 2025

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court on Monday admitted the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to bail in the sum of N2 billion in a fresh charge of property fraud.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an eight-count charge against him in respect of the disputed 753 duplexes in Abuja.

The said property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, measures 150,462.86 SQM and comprises 753 housing units.

When the charge was read to him, he, however, pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, his counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN applied for bail, which was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.

Oyedepo, however, asked the court to expunge some paragraphs in the bail application, and the court granted that.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right.

He added that the defendant(Emefiele) has been granted bail by two other judges and he did not go against the conditions and terms

”I admit the defendant to bail on the terms and conditions that the defendant’s travel documents which is already before justice Muazu is hereby attached as part of the condition .

“The defendant shall provide two sureties who must be residents of Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court.

“The sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court precisely in Asokoro , Maitama and Wuse 2 which valued at N2 billion” he held

Halilu further ordered that the sureties shall also do undertaking to produce the defendant in court always
all through his trial .

He added in the event the defendant jumps bail, they (sureties) will be put in prison.

He ordered that the defendant is granted from now to Wed (June 18) to vacate the ball or else risk going to prison.

He then adjourned until July 11 for continuation.

The charge number: CR/358/2025, borders on alleged having control of property reasonably suspected to be unlawfully obtained.

The offence, the EFCC said, is punishable under Section 319 of the Penal Code Law.

Emefiele was charged alongside one “Ocheme” who is at large.

Besides the housing estate, the two defendants are also charged with unlawfully keeping in their possession billions of naira in proxy accounts in Zenith Bank.

In count one of the charge Emefiele and Ocheme are being accused of knowingly having within their control the housing estate suspected to be unlawfully obtained contrary to the law.

While in count two, they were alleged to knowingly have in their possession the sum of N167 million domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915, in count three they were alleged to have held the sum of N1.23 billion in the same account.

According to the anti-graft agency, the said sums were said to be reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

In another count they were also alleged to have in their control another sum of N2.9 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.

In count five, the commission stated that the defendants between January and December 2022, knowingly had under their control the total sum of N1.98 billion domiciled in Kelvito Integrated Services’ account No: 1016232915 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc, which sum is reasonably suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.

In other counts they were also linked with the sum of N900 million and N600 million in Ifedigo Integrated Services’ account No: 1210750237 domiciled wit zenith Bank.

Meanwhile, in count eight, Emefiele was said to have in January 2021, forged a document titled, “Irrevocable Power of Attorney Between MG Properties Limited and H and Y Business Global Limited” with the intention of causing it to be believed that the said titled document was executed by or by the authority of H and Y Business Global Limited.

The offences, according to the EFCC, contravened the provisions of sections 319, 362 and 364 of the Penal Code.

Metro

Police Arrest For Sexual Assault Of Minor Leading To Pregnancy

Published

13 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 11 suspects for allegedly impregnating a 13 years old unsound mind girl in the state.

The Command said that the arrests were made as part of its determination to rid the State of all forms of Gender Based Violence.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Saturday by the spokesman of the command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar.

In the statement, Abubakar said, “The Divisional Police Officer, Shanga, had on 13th July, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, arrested 11 suspects namely: Ibrahim Bakanike, Danladi Nauyi, Danjuma Meli, Ibrahim Dankura, Ibrahim Isiaka, Masta Maishayi, Bello Muhammad, Danjuma Kodo, Aminu Isah, Zayyanu Isah and Ahmed Usman, all ‘m’ of Tungar Giwa village, Shanga LGA of Kebbi State.

“The suspects took advantage of one Sa’ima Dauda ‘f’ aged 13 yrs, who walked around in the village due to unsound mind by giving her money ranging from #200 to #500, lured her severally in different locations and had sexual intercourse with her which resulted to pregnancy and she safely delivered a baby boy on 8th July, 2025.”

The statement added that during the preliminary investigation, all the suspects arrested in connection with the case have confessed to the commission of the crime.

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M Sani has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department to intensify efforts in arresting the remaining two fleeing suspects and ensure diligent investigation”

The CP equally reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and speedy investigation of Gender Based Violence cases in the State.

Metro

Varsity Lecturer Dies In Company Of Female Student

Published

13 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

Mr Olabode Ibikunle, a lecturer at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Ayingba, Kogi State, reportedly died on Thursday.

The lecturer, in the Department of Social Science Education of the institution, reportedly dies while in company of one Miss Glory Ojochegbe, of the same department.

But his death has been linked to one Miss Bello Lubabat.

Reacting,, the management of the university, however, dispelled the rumour, stating that investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to his death.

It urged people to wait for the outcome of the ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and avoid jumping into unverified conclusion.

The Registrar of the school, Yahaya Alilu, in a statement on Friday, urged the media and the public to refrain from speculation to avoid jumping into false conclusions.

The statement read, “Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Ayingba expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate passing of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle, a lecturer in the Department of Social Science Education.

“His sudden demise in company of Miss Glory Ojochegbe Samuel (24GE2034) of the same department is a tragic and disturbing occurrence that understandably generated public concern and interest.

“The university wishes to state that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Olabode Abimbola Ibikunle is currently under investigation by the appropriate authorities.

“We therefore kindly urge the public and the media to refrain from speculations or drawing premature conclusions until the facts are fully established.

“We are also aware of some unverified reports linking the names of other students including Miss Bello Yahaya Lubabat of the Department of Educational Administration and planning, to the incident.

“The university firmly dissociates Miss Bello and other students from the matter and cautions against the spread of unfounded information that may harm the reputation of innocent persons.

“Prince Abubakar Audu University remains committed to upholding the value of truth, fairness and justice , and we respectfully appeal for restraint and responsible reportage as investigation continues.”

Metro

Tragedy As Suspect In Ondo Varsity Students’ Murder Dies In Police Custody

Published

14 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Editor

The Ondo State Police Command on Saturday confirmed the death of a murder suspect, Femi Oladele, also known as Tallex, during a brief illness.

Oladele was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction and death of two students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko – Andrel Okah and John Abba.

The two students, who were friends – Andrel Okah of the Department of History and International Studies, and John Abba of the Department of Economics – were said to be in 200-level in their departments before their disappearance on campus.

After their disappearance for three weeks, their colleagues raised the alarm and reported the matter to the police.

Thereafter, the command swung into action and began an investigation which led to the arrest of Oladele and two other accomplices. Oladele was said to be a landlord of one of the victims.

During interrogation of the suspects, the police said one of the suspects confessed that the victims had been killed, while their bodies were dumped at different locations in Ekiti State.

The police later disclosed that Okah’s body had been recovered and deposited at a morgue, while efforts were ongoing to recover Abba’s.

A source informed our correspondent that while in police custody, Oladele fell sick and was rushed to a hospital by the police, where he gave up the ghost.

“The suspect (Oladele) was sick in the custody where he was kept by the police. When his health condition was getting worse, he was quickly rushed to the hospital, where he later died.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the death of the suspect, stating that Oladele had been receiving treatment but succumbed in the early hours of Friday.

“Yes, he is dead. He had been under medical supervision since his arrest and had been in and out of the hospital. He passed away yesterday (Friday). We have recovered the decomposing body of Okah and are still searching for Abba’s remains.

“We urge the public to disregard any attempt to twist the facts. The command remains fully committed to justice. Everyone involved will face the full weight of the law,” the PPRO stated.