Metro

Court Grants EFCC Approval To Freeze N30.7m Linked To Alleged NNPC Fraud

Published

4 months ago

January 5, 2026

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to temporarily forfeit the sum of N30.7 million linked to the alleged fraud perpetrated in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federal Government.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling on the ex-parte motion moved by EFCC’s counsel, Emenike Mgbemele, on Monday, held that the application was meritorious and accordingly granted.

The judge ordered that the interim order of forfeiture be published in a national daily for interested persons to show cause within 14 days why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, and adjourned the matter till January 22 for report of compliance.

The name was changed to Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on July 19, 2022, to reflect a commercially focused energy company under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, as enshrined in the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The EFCC had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2775/2025, sought an interim order of the court forfeiting to the Federal Government of Nigeria the sum of N30, 700, 000.00 as raised in the manager’s cheques listed in the schedule, which it said are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

Given three grounds, the lawyer argued that the court had the statutory powers under the provisions of Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, to grant the reliefs being sought.

According to him, the funds sought to be attached and forfeited are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

In the schedule, the lawyer prayed that the funds lodged in four instalments of N10 million each and N700, 000 in EFCC’s Recovery Account with United Bank for Africa (UBA)’s account number: 9058700029 with manager’s cheque name: M/C Draft Outstanding Account, be forfeited to the Federal Government.

An EFCC investigator, Bilkisu Abubakar, in the affidavit deposed to in support of the motion ex-parte, said she was assigned to investigate fraudulent activities of some high-profile officials of the NNPC as well as other criminal petitions brought to the commission.

According to the officer, “upon receipt of the intelligence report, my team carried out several investigation activities, which include but are not limited to making inquiries and receiving financial records from commercial banks that featured in the intelligence”.

Abubakar said it also included writing and receiving responses from the various agencies, like the Corporate Affairs Commission, inviting and interviewing individuals who featured in the investigation.

“That I know as a fact and verily believe the findings of the investigation, which are as follows:

“That in the course of investigation and analysing some of the documents received from the bank, the name of Mr Adamu Yakubu, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, featured prominently.”

She said on September 2, 2025, Mr Yakubu, whose name featured in the course of the investigation, was invited and he volunteered his statement.

“That Mr Yakubu submitted a ledger to the commission evidencing records of his transactions wherein the details of customers and the amount of dollars sold by them are recorded.

“That upon analysing the entries in the ledger submitted by Mr Yakubu, it was revealed that over N4, 000, 000, 000.00 was transferred to the accounts of different individuals and companies on the instruction of one Mr Ibrahim Sani, a staff of Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS).”

The investigator said it was discovered that the balance of N30.7 million sought to be forfeited was still in possession of Yakubu from the funds which he claimed were given to him by Mr Ibrahim Sani.

“That on the 15th day of September 2025, Mr Ibrahim Sani, a staff of FIRS, whose name appeared on the ledger and who Mr Yakubu claimed owned the N30, 700, OOO was invited, and he volunteered his statement.”

Abubakar averred that Ibrahim gave a statement on how he had been using Yakubu, the BDC operator, to send money to different individuals and companies.

“That Mr Ibrahim equally confirmed how he usually deposits huge amounts of money (Dollars) with Mr Yakubu, who in turn sends its naira equivalent to individuals’ and companies’ accounts provided by him.

“That Mr Ibrahim neither ascertained nor verified the source of these monies which he has been depositing with Mr Yakubu for onward transfer to other people who are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.”

The investigator said Ibrahim, however, denied ownership of the N30.7 million found in Yakubu’s account as at the time of making his statement.

In his statement, Ibrahim was said to have stated that Yakubu was not holding any of his money as at Sept. 15, 2025.

The EFCC operative said both Yakubu and Ibrahim denied ownership of the said N30.7 million found in the account of the former (Yakubu).

“That Mr Yakubu has raised four different managers’ cheques in the name of the EFCC Recovery Account in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Copies of the managers’ cheques are attached and marked as Exhibits EFCC 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D respectively.

“That I know as a fact and verily believe that the source of the funds sought to be forfeited in the account of Mr Yakubu is proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Abubakar said the court had the discretionary power to grant the application in the interest of justice.

The officer, who said the order being sought was in interim and that nobody would be prejudiced by its grant, said it was in the interest of justice to grant the application.

Metro

Imo Court Sentences 34-year-old Man To Death By Hanging For Kidnapping, Armed Robbery

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

A State High Court sitting in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, has sentenced a 34-year-old man, Johnbosco Chidera Ashiegbu to death by hanging after finding him guilty of serial armed robbery and kidnapping.

Johnbosco, a native of Amaiyi Akabo in Ikeduru LGA of the State, was said to have been arrested in 2024 along Okigwe road, Owerri, in a stolen vehicles and after interrogation, he confessed to have been in the business of armed robbery and hostage taking, operating within Imo and Abia States with his gang.

Ruling on the matter, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice C.N Akowundu said the defendant was guilty of all the eight count charges against him as the prosecuting counsel proved beyond reasonable doubt all the charges leveled against the accused person.

He recalled that in 2024, Ashiegbu and his gang who are currently at large, trailed one Mr. Rex Edwin Achiefula to his house at Aba while driving along with his wife and whisked the couple away, robbing them of their car and the sum of US2800 dollars.

While the wife was freed along the road, the husband was blindfolded and taken to an unknown destination where he was held hostage for close to six days.

Meanwhile, the defendant and his gang members that same day, about same time, before the abduction of Mr Rex had already abducted one Emmanuel Okezie who was also driving along the same route with Mr. Rex.

Their victims were later released after the payment of a ransom of 3.7million naira and 15 million naira, respectively.

Justice Akobundu, in the judgement, further remarked that Ashiegbu drives in fleet of cars and routinely changes ownership of all vehicles he stole to his name, including the ones he gifted his elder brother and sister during her birthday celebration.

Meanwhile, the defense counsel pleaded for leniency that the accused had not been convicted of any offense in the past and is the breadwinner of his family married with children who depend on him.

Waving out the request from the defendant counsel, the Judge said that the defendant himself did not show any sign of remorse throughout the trial.

The Prosecuting Counsel, Ikenna Obi, a Senior State Counsel in Ministry of Justice, urged the court to give its pronouncement in line with the dictates of the law.

He noted that the defendant had not shown any atom of repentance even as he had been found guilty of all the charges before the Court.

The Judge, in his final judgement, said the accused was guilty of all charges levelled against him and therefore sentenced to death by hanging.

Metro

12 Suspected Cultists Arrested In Edo

Published

3 days ago

May 11, 2026

Editor

Twelve suspected cultists have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).

The suspects were arrested at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Edo State Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, in a statement on Monday, said the arrest was carried out on May 7 following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

She stated that during preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to be cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.

Ikoedem said the operatives recovered a gray Mercedes Benz Jeep with registration number GWA 471 DS allegedly belonging to one Balogun Isreal, who is currently at large.

The Statement read in part, “Operatives of the Edo State Police Command in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) have arrested 12 suspected cultists at Amazing Grace Estate, Elele Community, Uzairue, Auchi in Edo North following operatives’ swift response to credible intelligence.

“The suspects, Abiola Anabgaifo, 33yrs; Idogo Joshua, 28yrs; Oseni Sani, 22yrs; Aminu Abubakar, 19yrs; Iyamah Precious, 29yrs; Usman Rapheal, 29yrs; Ogene Jude, 31yrs; Ibrahim Akeem, 27yrs; Tunde Bright, 20yrs; Jude Edeh, 21yrs; Godwin Edeh, 19yrs; and Aigbona Clifford, 20yrs, being were arrested on 7th May, 2026 at about 6:00pm after they allegedly mobilized from Okpella to launch attacks on perceived rivals.

“Preliminary investigations, seven of the suspects confessed to being cultists, with some identified as members of the Aye and Vikings confraternity.”

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response and professionalism of these Officers, stressing that the Command will sustain its crackdown on cultism and violent crimes across the State.

He noted that all suspects have been transferred to the Anti-Cultism unit and will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The Command warns all criminal elements to either repent or leave Edo State, as the Command remains fully prepared to deal decisively with anyone threatening the peace and security of residents.

Metro

My Husband Beat Me, Abused Me Verbally — Wife

Published

5 days ago

May 9, 2026

Editor

…I never did such things — Husband

A businesswoman, Patricia Philip, has prayed a Customary Court in Garki, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to dissolve the marriage between her and her husband, Ossai Philip, over alleged molestation.

The petitioner said this in a divorce petition she filed against her husband in court.

“My husband is constantly fighting and molesting me without justification. He beats me often and also uses abusive words on me.

“He reacts aggressively to literally every little provocation,” she said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), The petitioner said that all the ill treatment had caused her emotional distress and that she feared for her safety.

She told the court that she could no longer cope with her husband’s alleged violent behaviour, which she said, had destroyed her trust and confidence in him.

She also told the court that she feared that continued cohabitation with the respondent may endanger her life and well being.

The respondent, Philip, who is a businessman, denied the allegations.

The presiding judge, Festus Enomhonse, however, adjourned the case.