Metro

Alleged $6.3m Fraud: Court Defers Trial Of 3 CBN Officials

Published

1 year ago

February 28, 2025

Editor

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, fixed November 3 for the arraignment of three staff members of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, that allegedly defrauded the Federal Government to the tune of $6.3million.

The defendants- Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar and Odoh Ochene- were said to have used bogus letters from the Presidency and the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) prior to the 2023 general elections.

According to the prosecution, the trio, armed with the fake letters, obtained the money in cash from the apex bank on a false claim that it was meant for the settlement of foreign election observers.

Meanwhile, though the case was originally fixed for the defendants to be docked on Thursday, however, Government lawyer, Mr. Celestine Odoh, informed the court that they had since escaped from the country.

According to the prosecution counsel, every effort to locate them have proved abortive, a situation he said led FG to solicit for help from the International Police, Interpol.

Odoh told the court that so far, whereabouts of the defendants remained unknown as the Interpol had yet to fish them out from where they are hiding outside the shores of the country.

He decried that the accused persons, who are on the “Watchlist”, have not surfaced in any area where Interpol could locate and arrest them.

Consequently, he prayed the court for a long adjournment to enable the government intensify efforts with a view to bringing the defendants to justice.

While acceding to the adjournment request, trial Justice Inyang Ekwo noted that it has been over a year since the court issued a warrant of arrest against the three defendants.

It will be recalled that the office of the then Special Investigator of the CBN, Mr. Jim Obazee, had applied to the court and obtained a bench warrant for the arrest of the defendants.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had in the charge it filed before the court, alleged that the defendants had on February 8, 2023, connived to obtain $6.2m from the CBN, claiming that the money was requested by the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha “vide a letter dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.”

Metro

Ex-convict Arrested In Edo For Armed Robbery, Possession Of Firearm

Published

9 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) has arrested a 45-year-old ex-convict, Owen Osas, for alleged unlawful possession of firearms and suspected involvement in a robbery incident.

Osas was reportedly arrested with a cut-to-size single-barrel gun during a covert operation along Fishpond Road in Eyean, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

The arrest reportedly comes barely a year after he was released from prison, where he had served time for illegal possession of firearms and other criminal offences.

Osas, who confessed to the latest crime, also admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo
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Consequently, a victim of an alleged robbery incident, Reginia Izy, identified Osas as the person who robbed her a day before his arrest.
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The victim narrated that the suspect had approached her residence around 8 p.m., pretending to be familiar before carrying out the attack.
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‎The Deputy Commander Operations of ESSC, Richard Balogun, said the arrest was part of intensified efforts to rid Edo State of criminal elements.

READ ALSO:Edo South Senatorial Seat: Nothing Wrong Seeking Wike’s Support – Ogbeide-Ihama
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‎Balogun explained that operatives conduct both overt patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend suspects.
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He said, ‎“Our men are always on patrol. Some operate in plain clothes as part of covert strategies, while others are stationed at strategic locations.

“Osas, who is a former convict, was arrested with firearms and he also confessed to be a member of the Eiye Confraternity.”
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Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.