Metro

EFCC Arraigns Ex-NRC MD Over Alleged $385,000, N165m Fraud

Published

2 months ago

February 25, 2026

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Edetanle Okhiria, before the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja over an alleged fraud involving $385,000 and N165,438,000.

Okhiria was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful enrichment by a public officer.

The EFCC alleged that the defendant committed the offences between 2016 and 2025 while serving as the Managing Director of the NRC.

According to the commission, Okhiria allegedly abused his office by violating provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, in the award of contracts, purportedly to obtain undue advantage for himself.

The prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammad (SAN), told the court that between May 29 and September 11, 2024, the defendant allegedly transferred a cumulative sum of $205,000 from his domiciliary account in Access Bank Plc to an account belonging to Ehimen Okhiria, domiciled in ABN AMRO Bank, Netherlands.

Muhammad further alleged that between October 21 and November 21, 2024, the defendant transferred another $40,000 from his Access Bank account to the same foreign account.

The court also heard that between January 2 and February 20, 2025, after leaving office, Okhiria allegedly transferred an additional $60,000 from his Access Bank account to the said ABN AMRO Bank account, which the EFCC claimed were proceeds of unlawful activities.

The defendant was further accused of unlawfully enriching himself with $40,000 allegedly received from Emma Ogbogu & Associates’ FCMB account through his personal Access Bank account on April 7, 2025, in relation to the lease of NRC properties located at Plots 2 and 5, Federal Road, Ebute Meta, Lagos.

The commission also alleged that between April 8 and May 14, 2025, Okhiria received N125,438,000 from accounts belonging to James Iria and Kelvin Iria domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, through his personal Access Bank account, in connection with contracts awarded to Big Screen Network Limited during his tenure.

In addition, the EFCC alleged that on or about June 11, 2025, after leaving office, the defendant received $80,000 from a domiciliary account belonging to Vincent Obi in Access Bank, in relation to the lease of an NRC property at No. 42, Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Ebute Meta, Lagos, to Remax Realtors Limited.

The prosecution said the alleged offences contravene Sections 332(1) and (3), 73(1) and 82(c) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following his plea, the prosecution requested a trial date and urged the court to remand him in a correctional facility pending trial.

However, defence counsel, Adebowale Kamoru, informed the court that he had just been served with the charges and sought a short adjournment to enable him to file a bail application.

Justice Oshodi ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.

The matter was adjourned to May 13, 14 and 15, 2026, for trial.

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.