News
Dasuki, Others Re-arraigned Over Alleged N33.2bn Fraud
Published
5 months agoon
By
Editor
A former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), and three others were re-arraigned on Tuesday before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over an alleged N33.2 billion fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought the charges against Dasuki alongside a former General Manager of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Aminu Baba-Kusa, as well as two companies—Acacia Holdings Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.
The defendants are facing a 32-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and dishonest release of public funds.
Their re-arraignment before Justice Charles Agbaza follows the reassignment of the case by the FCT Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, who was previously handling the matter.
READ ALSO: 10 Ways To Stay Healthy During Ramadan
Dasuki was first arraigned on December 14, 2015, before Justice Baba-Yusuf, alongside a former Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu, on a 19-count charge linked to an alleged N15.5 billion fraud.
The charges were later amended, and Salisu’s name was removed. Subsequently, Dasuki and the others were re-arraigned on May 11, 2018, on a fresh 32-count charge involving N33.2 billion.
However, the trial was stalled after the prosecution presented only one witness—the investigating officer—who was yet to conclude his testimony before the case was indefinitely adjourned.
The EFCC had also filed another case against Dasuki in 2015, in which he was charged alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda; a former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa; his son, Sagir Bafarawa; and his company, Dalhatu Investment Limited. They faced a 25-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of N19.4 billion.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kidnap Imo Catholic Priest
The case was recently transferred to Justice Yusuf Halilu.
Both trials suffered multiple delays due to the refusal of the Department of State Services to release Dasuki on bail, despite court orders granting him bail.
At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 32 counts read to them.
The prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, then requested a trial date.
READ ALSO: Liberian President, Boakai, Faces $10m Lawsuit Over Unlawful Suspension
Lawyers to Dasuki and Baba-Kusa, A.A. Usman and Richard Ibiye, urged the court to allow the defendants to continue enjoying their existing bail, assuring that they had always been present for court proceedings.
The prosecution did not oppose the request but stressed the importance of the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial.
After considering submissions from both sides, Justice Agbaza ruled that the defendants should remain on their existing bail and adjourned the trial to July 1.
You may like
Three Ghanaian Nationals Extradited To US In $100m Online Fraud Case
28 Suspected Internet Fraudsters Arrested In Benin
Nigerian Arraigned For Defrauding Over 400 Elderly, Vulnerable Americans Of $6m
JUST IN: Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of $2.04m, Properties Linked To Emefiele
Nigerian-born US Army Veteran, Musician Bicker Over Alleged N23m Real Estate Fraud
Why l Engaged In Visa Scam – American Deportee
News
Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
Published
11 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has responded to viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian Kent Okwesa, circulated online this week.
The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.
In a detailed statement, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious falsehoods driven by his father’s involvement in Nigerian politics.
He noted that while he rarely responds to such narratives, the persistence of gossip and unfounded claims made it necessary to address the matter.
READ ALSO:Jonathan, Obi Can’t Match APC’s Strength For 2027 – Mustapha Salihu
“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me.
“I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.
Oseloka stressed that the photos of him in circulation were being misrepresented, insisting they were ordinary snapshots with friends and colleagues.
“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies,” he added.
READ ALSO:Ex-Chadian PM Masra Jailed For Hate Speech, Xenophobia
He further emphasised that neither he nor his father is perfect, but attested to his father’s integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s future.
“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”
Concluding, Oseloka urged Nigerians to redirect their attention from idle gossip to the pressing socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Read the full statement below:
News
FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
Published
11 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has barred seven Primary Mortgage Banks (PMBs) from processing applications under the pension-backed equity contribution scheme for residential mortgages, citing their non-compliance with housing loan guidelines.
In a letter published on PenCom’s website, addressed to Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs), the organisation instructed them to immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted through the affected institutions.
The blacklisted mortgage banks are:
READ ALSO:Varsity Bars Edo IDPs From Exams Over Non-payment Of Fees
• Jigawa Savings & Loans Limited
• FHA Mortgage Bank Limited
• Delta Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• AG Mortgage Bank Limited
• Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank Pic
• First Trust Mortgage Bank Limited
• Mutual Alliance Mortgage Bank Limited
“Following the cited letter, the commission instructs that PFAs, including Closed Pension Fund Administrators and Pension Fund Custodians, immediately stop accepting or processing equity contribution applications submitted by the following Primary Mortgage Banks… Please be guided,” the circular read in part.
READ ALSO:Indian Refiners Abandon Russia For Nigerian Crude, As Dangote Refinery Relies On US
Explaining the decision, PenCom’s spokesman, Ibrahim Buwai, told The PUNCH that the sanction was imposed because the affected institutions failed to generate the mortgages for which funds had been approved.
“The whole purpose of giving access to RSA holders is to enable them to own houses through mortgages,” he said. “It was discovered that some of the primary mortgage institutions were not generating mortgages. If that is the case, it means they are not complying with the regulations. That is the reason for their blacklisting.”
PenCom introduced the equity contribution for residential mortgages in September 2022, allowing Retirement Savings Account (RSA) holders to withdraw up to 25 per cent of their balances to fund equity contributions for home ownership.
According to the commission, 24,582 RSA holders had accessed the scheme as of the first quarter of 2025, with disbursements totalling ₦149.84bn.
RSA holders who submitted applications through the barred mortgage banks are now advised to reapply with other eligible PMBs. Those who have made upfront payments were urged to contact the affected institutions for the next line of action.
News
VIDEO: How ‘Close Friend’ Leaked Cat Secret To Security During My House Invasion — Sunday Igboho
Published
12 hours agoon
August 23, 2025By
Editor
Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has opened up again on the July 1, 2021 midnight invasion of his Ibadan residence by security operatives, including the Department of State Services (DSS).
Speaking during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, at his palace in Ondo State, Igboho alleged that the attack was carried out with the intent to take his life.
“When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me but failed. Some said my intestines were shattered, others said my leg was broken, but there was nothing of such. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you my fathers on me were answered.”
According to him, the DSS operatives forcefully gained entrance into his residence and pointed a gun at his Personal Assistant so he could lead them to his room.
READ ALSO:
Death of cat after friend’s betrayal
While recalling the invasion, Igboho said one of his trusted friends betrayed him by leaking sensitive information about his cat to the operatives.
He disclosed that the so-called ‘trusted’ friend had told the agents not to let the cat escape, which led to the security operatives killing the animal.
“When I opened the door of my room for them, they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends that I entrusted with secret had told them not to let the cat go. So they killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse. They destroyed everywhere in the house and killed one of my brothers alongside one other person and they left,” he narrated.
Appeal to the Olowo
Speaking at the palace of the Olowo, Igboho said his absence from the country had lasted about five years and that he was eager to return to contribute to tackling insecurity in the South-West.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Sunday Igboho Returns To Nigeria
“But why I came to meet you Kabiesi is that till when will I be doing that. Nigeria is my motherland. This is about five years since I’ve been chased from here. Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me. If not for the wanted tag on me, I would have come to Nigeria to face the insecurity facing the South-West region. I would have entered the bush and faced them,” Igboho pleaded with the monarch.
Monarch’s response
In his response, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a beacon of hope for his generation and future ones, urging him not to be discouraged by the challenges he has faced.
The monarch enjoined Igboho and his supporters to remain law-abiding amid ongoing challenges.
He assured him of continued support and called for peace and cooperation across South-West communities, noting that no region can achieve sustainable development without security.
(TRIBUNE)
- Edo Govt Demolishes Building Owned by Suspected Cultist
- Peter Obi’s Son, Oseloka, Speaks On Gay Allegations
- US Suspends Work Visas For Nigerian, Foreign Truck Drivers
- My Husband Fought, Abandoned Me Cos’ I’m Barren, Woman Tells Court
- FULL LIST: PenCom Bars Seven Mortgage Banks From Processing Housing Loans
- Our First Child Beat Me Blue And Black After My Wife Turned Them Against Me —Man
- My Wife Harasses, Slaps Me All The Time —Husband
- My Husband Travelled For 2 Yrs To Work, Returned With Only Plantain, Yam, Woman Tells Court
- US Desperate To Remove You, Cleric Warns Tinubu
- Stop My Father From Forcing Me To Marry Someone I Don’t Love, Woman Begs Court
Trending
- News4 days ago
Edo Issues New Guideline On Education, Says Siblings’ Textbooks Transferable, Bans Graduation For KGs, Others, [A MUST READ]
- Metro4 days ago
Vigilantes Beat, Strip Female Corps Member In Anambra
- News4 days ago
Circuits Launchpad Targets 1M Jobs for Youths in the Digital Creative Sector
- Headline3 days ago
UK Bans Sanex Advert For Calling Black Skin ‘Problematic’, White Skin ‘Superior’
- News4 days ago
Chieftaincy Title: Why Ooni Of Ife Won’t React To Alaafin’s 48-hour Threat — Palace Aide
- News5 days ago
Lagos Declares Holiday For Isese Festival
- News3 days ago
Yoruba Elders Wade In As Alaafin, Ooni Feud Escalates
- News3 days ago
Nigerians Call For Mandatory DNA Tests At Birth
- Sports5 days ago
Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
- Headline3 days ago
Why I Plotted President Trump’s Assassination – 50-yr-old Woman