Metro

Court Orders Permanent Forfeiture Of $49,700 Recovered From Ex-INEC Official

Published

6 months ago

October 29, 2025

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the permanent forfeiture of $49,700 allegedly recovered from Dr Nura Ali, a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sokoto State, during the 2023 general elections.

Justice Emeka Nwite gave the order after counsel to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, moved a motion seeking the final forfeiture of the money.

Akponimisingha informed the court that the ICPC had complied with its earlier order directing temporary forfeiture of the funds and that a public notice had been issued inviting any interested parties to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

He noted, however, that no objections or representations had been received since the publication.

“We therefore seek an order permanently forfeiting the sum of $49,700 to the Federal Government, in view of the compliance with the interim order and the absence of any opposition,” Akponimisingha said.

In his ruling, Justice Nwite held that the application had merit.

“I have listened to the submission of learned counsel for the applicant and carefully examined the supporting affidavit. I am satisfied that the application is meritorious. Consequently, it is hereby granted,” the judge ruled.

The trial judge had, on December 30, 2024, granted an interim forfeiture order following an ex parte motion jointly filed by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS). The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1846/2024, sought temporary forfeiture of the recovered sum pending the outcome of further investigations.

The application, signed by Mr Usman Dauda, Director of Legal Services for the DSS, and filed by Akponimisingha on behalf of the ICPC, stated that the money was found during a search conducted by DSS operatives at Dr Ali’s residence in Kano.

According to the supporting affidavit deposed to by Iliya Markus, a litigation officer with the ICPC, intelligence reports alleged that Dr Ali received bribes from political stakeholders while serving as INEC REC in Sokoto State.

Markus stated that during the search, $49,700 was recovered, and Dr Ali, in his statement, claimed that the money was a gift from former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Aliyu Wamakko. He also noted that Ali later wrote to the DSS requesting the release of the seized funds.

The ICPC maintained that INEC does not pay its staff in US dollars, and that the recovered money was suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Following the interim order, the court had directed the publication of a notice in a national newspaper inviting interested parties to show cause why the funds should not be forfeited.

After confirming compliance and noting that no objections were received, the court granted the ICPC’s request for the final forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day 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.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.