Metro

Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N293m, Lands Recovered From Former JTF Commander

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2023

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of the sum of N293 million, six parcels of land and 30,000 MTN shares recovered from a former Commander of the Military Joint Task Force, Operation Pulo Shield, in the Niger Delta Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Atewe (retd).

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on Friday made an order for the permanent forfeiture of the assets to the Federal Government, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had brought the application before the court, for the final forfeiture of the assets without conviction pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006, and Section 44 (2b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

Since 2016, the EFCC has been prosecuting Atewe alongside a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi; Kime Engozu; and Josephine Otuaga.

They were all accused of conspiring to divert the sum of N8.5 billion for the military Operation Pulo Shield in the Niger Delta.

In March 2020, Justice Mohammed Liman had ordered the interim forfeiture of the assets following an ex parte application by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.

Oyedepo had told the court that the assets sought to be forfeited were part of the proceeds of N8.5 billion which Atewe allegedly diverted from the military operation between September 5, 2014 and May 20, 2015.

The landed properties were identified as 50 hectares of farmland at Plot No. FL746B Gaube Farmland Extension II Layout, Kuje, Abuja; a piece of land located at Commercial Layout, Yenagoa Gardens, Bayelsa State; one hectare of land in Kuje District, Abuja; Plot No. CP10, Sector Centre B Layout, Kuje, Abuja; Plot MF62 Outer Northern Expressway Cadastral Zone, Abuja; Plot No. 1228 Jahi, Abuja; and four hectares of land designated as Plot No.CP6386 and Plot No.CP6387, Sabon Lugbe, Abuja.

An investigating officer of the EFCC, Adamu Yusuf, said Atewe purchased the 30,000 MTN shares for N170,350,000.

The EFCC counsel said it would be in the interest of justice for the court to order the temporary forfeiture of the assets.

After listening to him, Justice Liman granted the prayers and ordered that the temporary forfeiture order be published in a national newspaper.

The judge adjourned till April 20 for anyone interested in the assets to appear before him to show reasons why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

Metro

Bandits Invade Kwara Community, Kill One, Kidnap Eight Others

Published

9 hours ago

September 7, 2025

Editor

Shagbe village and its environs in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State was, at the weekend, thrown into confusion following the killing of one person and the kidnapping of eight others by bandits.

A source, who spoke with The Guardian, noted that the bandits were armed to the teeth with weapons ranging from guns of different shapes and sizes, as well as clubs.

According to a source (names withheld), the bandits waged brutal attacks that scared away youths and other able-bodied villagers.

The source told our reporter on the phone that the attack occurred at about 9:15 pm on Saturday.

He said: “One person was killed during the violent invasion and eight others declared missing.”

A police source disclosed that the confusion has prompted the Commissioner of Police (CP), Adekimi Ojo, to order the concerned Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to the village.

He, however, added: “The volatile situation in our community has made an on-the-spot assessment unrealistic.”

CP Ojo confirmed the attack, saying that the DPO of Oke-Ode is already in the area for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation

Metro

Amotekun Arrests Suspected Kidnapper In Osun

Published

11 hours ago

September 7, 2025

Editor

The Osun Amotekun Corps says it has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Ayobola Awe, in the Isokun area of Ilesa.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Yusuf Abass, the Public Relations Officer for the Corps, on Sunday in Osogbo.

The statement said that the suspect, popularly called ” Bishop Awasere”, had been on the wanted list of some security agencies over alleged murder and kidnapping.

It stated that Awe and his notorious gang were tracked to a hideout in the Isokun area of Ilesa at 5:59p.m.

“During the raid, Amotekun operatives recovered hard drugs and a cache of assorted charms believed to be used by the gang for spiritual fortification.

“We have also launched a manhunt on some gang members that managed to escape during the operation,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the arrest represents a significant stride in the fight against violent crime in the state and its surrounding areas.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

Police Foil Robbery Attacks On Anambra Roads, Recover Vehicles

Published

1 day ago

September 6, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command said it has repelled armed robbery attacks in Oba and Awka areas of the state, with two stolen vehicles earlier snatched by the robbery gang recovered.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the police patrols have continued to foil plans of criminals following the security and safety measures put in place by the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu.

Ikenga added that the swift response and coordinated chase by police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka and police operatives attached to Oba Division, led to the recovery of the snatched vehicles from the criminals at different operations.

The statement read in part, “Police operatives have recovered two abandoned, but suspected snatched vehicles in Oba and Awka, respectively. Efforts are, however, ongoing to apprehend the culprits.

“The swift response and coordinated chase by Police Operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka, led to the recovery of a snatched Lexus ES 350 car with registration number Lagos – BDG 350 JR, along Parkers Road, Awka, on September 4, 2025, at about 10.10 pm.

“Four armed men, operating in a tricycle without a registration number, had earlier blocked the victim along Ifite Road, Amaenyi, forcing him to abandon his vehicle before they fled the scene with it.

“Similarly, in the early hours of September 5, 2025, police operatives attached to Oba Division received information that a black Lexus RX 300 Jeep with registration number Anambra – AWK 31 DU, had been abandoned by yet-to-be-identified persons around Mummy Hotel axis, along Owerri–Onitsha Expressway, Oba.

“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives moved swiftly to the location and recovered the vehicle, which has since been towed to the station for safekeeping.

“To this end, the command appreciates the good people of Anambra for their timely and useful information, noting that effective collaboration between the Police and the public remains a key strategy in combating crime.”