Metro

Judge Orders Probe Of Court Registrar For Destroying Evidence In N10bn Fraud Trial

Published

4 months ago

February 5, 2026

Editor

Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, ordered the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, to investigate his court registrar, Nasiru Onimisi Zubairu, as well as the 2nd defendant in an alleged N10 billion fraud trial, Daudu Sulaiman, for allegedly tampering with exhibits tendered before the court.

The exhibits were tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to establish the N10 billion fraud charges against Mr Ali Bello, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Kogi State.

The order followed the disclosure by the judge that Zubairu confessed to him that Sulaiman, one of the accused persons in the trial, approached him to use a code to wipe off some significant messages contained in WhatsApp chats of the second defendant in a telephone set deposited with the court.

Justice Omotosho played Zubairu’s confessions in the open court and further directed him to tell the court what transpired between him and the second defendant.

Addressing the court, the judge said: “I have to disclose it because that is what the Chief Judge told us, to ensure we disclose such a thing as early as possible. We have a policy of discovery and disclosure at the Federal High Court. We have zero tolerance for this kind of attitude. The person involved is here, I will call him so that you will hear from the horse’s mouth.”

Zubairu went ahead to tell the court how he was approached by Sulaiman.

According to him, the second defendant asked him what he wanted and he told him that he had accommodation challenges.

“I was asked to delete some certain information, some WhatsApp messages in the exhibits on the promise that I will be given a house,” he said.

Justice Omotosho also allowed the prosecution counsel, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation DPPF, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, to direct the Investigation Officer, Muhammed Audu Abubakar, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to disclose before the court if indeed the chats were deleted from the phone.

Abubakar told the court that information contained in Exhibits N and O, including chats on several dates from 2020 to 2022, had been deleted.

Earlier, Justice Omotosho asked the registrar the specific chat he deleted but he told the court that he could not remember, adding that he knew he opened only two chats. “I can’t remember but I opened only two chats,” he said.

To confirm that many of the chats had been deleted, Oyedepo told the witness to go through Exhibit N, particularly the conversation involving the Director General, Government House.

The witness informed the court that chats between December 3, 2020 and December 28, 2020 had been deleted.

“There was no chat on 23 December, it stopped on December 22 and continued on 29 December, 2020,” he stated.

He was also asked to check page 196 of the exhibit, that is on 13 January, 2021. He informed that court that the chat there read, “Abdurasheed will bring it to Abuja now”.

“On 22 January, 2021, the chats “Hudu will bring it now,” was deleted. There is nothing here on the phone. It has been deleted. What we had on 27 January, “Hudu is bringing it,” has been deleted,” the witness added.

The witness further informed the court that he came across the chat in the course of investigation. “I came across this chat at the time of investigation. On 26 January, 2021, Hudu is bringing N100 million”, has also been deleted.”

The witness informed the court that there is no chat on 26 January, 2021.

He added, “On 30 January 2021, “N60m is on transit from Friday… they are on their way coming,” has been deleted.

“Hudu is on his way to Abuja… he is also coming with N30m,” has been deleted.

“30 August 2021, “Mr Ododo has collected N50m and will be coming tomorrow to Abuja”, has been deleted.

“On page 296, the chat “Hudu is on his way, coming with N93m, N7m for TJ and for 2 January 2022,” has been deleted,” the witness further explained.

Oyedepo noted that “on page 297, there was a reference to Rabiu, that is on 28 February 2022.” Responding, the witness said, “It is not here my Lord. It has also been deleted.”

Abubakar went through other chat records and confirmed that vital information contained in the exhibit (the phone) had indeed been deleted.

Reacting to the deleted chats, Oyedepo demanded that “this issue be investigated and the report brought to your Lordship”.

He added, “There is a very urgent irresistible suspicion that Exhibit N which contains crucial evidence have been tempered with.

“We apply that the Lordship grant an order revoking the bail of the defendant and order forensic investigation of Exhibit N.”

The defence counsel expressed shock at the development but urged the court to await the outcome of the forensic investigation of the matter. “I will urge my lord to await the outcome of the investigation. “

In response, Justice Omotosho directed that the matter should be investigated by the police and DSS and adjourned the matter to February 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.