Again, EFCC witness says no law breached in fund withdrawals by Kogi State.

The fourth prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC in the alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has re-affirmed that fund withdrawals by the state government did not breach any banking law.

During cross-examination before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank, also reiterated that the name of the former governor did not appear as beneficiary in the account presented as evidence.

The Defence Counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, had drawn the witness’ attention to certain withdrawals by one Umar Comfort Olufunke, which the prosecution did not mention.

The prosecution had concentrated on withdrawals by Abdulsalam Hudu, the Cashier of Kogi State Government House.

The withdrawals, in multiples of N10 million, were between December 2017 and April 2018, with beneficiaries being various hotels in Kogi State, according to the witness.

On cross-examination, the witness also confirmed withdrawals by one Alhassan Omakoji between November 2021 and December 2022, which did not exceed N10 million per withdrawal.

He said the withdrawals were in line with the limits set by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN.

He admitted that he was not aware of any law that regulates how Kogi State Government spends its money or allocation.

Court orders takeover of EndSARS Activist, FK Abudu’s Family Firm over N532 million Debt.

Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted an interim order empowering Lotus Bank Limited to take possession of all assets belonging to Unpacked Limited (in receivership), a company owned by Oluwafeyikemi Abudu and guaranteed by Oluwafemi Badewole, over an alleged debt of ₦532,691,920.86.

The order followed an ex parte motion filed by the bank’s counsel, A. Adedoyin-Adetunji, seeking the court’s approval to recover the outstanding sum arising from an Ijara Muntaluya Bittamleek (lease-to-own) facility extended to the company.

Court Grants Takeover of Assets and Accounts
In the motion, marked FHC/L/CS/2097/2025, Lotus Bank prayed the court for leave to take over the company’s movable and immovable assets, as well as funds domiciled in several financial institutions across the country.

The bank also sought an order restraining over 25 banks and financial institutions—including GTBank, Access Bank, First Bank, UBA, Zenith Bank, and Fidelity Bank—from releasing or tampering with any funds linked to the defendants’ accounts or Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs).

The restraining order also extends to digital finance platforms such as Opay, Palmpay, Paystack, Piggyvest, and Momo Agent, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Receiver Empowered to Take Possession
The court further authorised Patrick Mgbeoma, the receiver/manager appointed by Lotus Bank, to take possession of and realise all assets belonging to Unpacked Limited, including fixed and floating assets, equipment, and undertakings covered under the Deed of All Assets Debenture dated May 25, 2025, and the Deed of Appointment of Receiver dated October 6, 2025.

Justice Dipeolu also granted the bank’s request for police assistance, directing the Inspector-General of Police, senior officers, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, to provide security support to court bailiffs and the receiver during the takeover process.

According to the motion, the affected company operates from VPD Academy Building 4, Thorburn Avenue, Yaba, Lagos, where the bank alleged some of the assets under the loan agreement were located. The court’s order enables bailiffs and enforcement officers to gain access to the premises and secure all relevant assets.

Plateau Lawmaker Adamu Aliyu Surrenders to ICPC Over Alleged N850 Million Fraud

Adamu Aliyu, a serving member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, has surrendered to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and is currently being questioned over allegations of fraud.

The lawmaker turned himself in at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday, September 15, following a Federal High Court order declaring him wanted. Justice Emeka Nwite issued the order after the commission informed the court that Aliyu had ignored multiple invitations to respond to fraud allegations.

The allegations stem from a petition by businessman Mohammed Jidda, who accused Aliyu of defrauding him under the pretext of facilitating a Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract at the University of Jos valued at N850 million.

According to the petition, Aliyu, representing Jos North-North constituency, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jidda, requiring the businessman to pay N73.6 million for the contract. The amount included N52 million to a company, Imanal Concept Ltd, described as a facilitation fee.

Investigators allege that Aliyu later presented Jidda with a forged contract award letter for the construction of an indoor sports hall worth N500 million at the University of Jos. Acting on the letter, Jidda transferred the agreed funds into two bank accounts allegedly provided by Aliyu.

However, when Jidda approached the university to finalize contract documentation, the institution denied issuing such a contract. Subsequent verification confirmed that the award letter was fraudulent.

Bank records obtained by the ICPC reportedly show:

N47.8 million deposited into Aliyu’s personal account

N22.4 million into Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account

N3.2 million transferred directly to Aliyu


Despite repeated summonses—including messages through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and Aliyu’s WhatsApp—he did not respond, prompting the ICPC to seek the court order. The commission also indicated it had credible intelligence that Aliyu might attempt to flee Nigeria to avoid prosecution.

APC Lawmaker Declared Wanted Over Alleged Fraud.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declared Adamu Aliyu, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly representing Jos North-North constituency, wanted over allegations of fraud involving N73.6 million.

Aliyu, who serves on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared wanted by Justice Emeka Nwite on Friday after the court granted an application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The court authorised the anti-graft agency to publish a “wanted person” notice for the lawmaker in national newspapers, across social media platforms, and through other public channels. The ruling further empowered law enforcement agencies, including the police and even private citizens, to arrest Aliyu and hand him over to the ICPC.

According to court documents, the case originated from a petition filed by businessman Mohammed Jidda, who accused the legislator of using a fake Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) contract to defraud him. Jidda alleged that Aliyu promised to help him secure an N850 million TETFund contract at the University of Jos. As part of the deal, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which Jidda agreed to pay N73.6 million once a contract award letter was issued. The MoU also stipulated that an additional N52 million facilitation fee would be paid to Imanal Concept Ltd, a company owned by Saad Abubakar, whom Aliyu presented as the facilitator of the contract.

Investigators said Aliyu later gave Jidda a document purporting to be a contract award letter from the University of Jos for the construction of an indoor sports hall valued at N500 million. Convinced by the document, Jidda transferred N73.6 million into two accounts provided by Aliyu — his personal Guaranty Trust Bank account and Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account. However, when Jidda approached the university to begin contract documentation, he discovered that no such project existed. The University of Jos later confirmed in writing to the ICPC that the purported award letter was forged.

The ICPC told the court that financial records confirmed the flow of funds: N47.8 million went into Aliyu’s personal GTBank account, N22.4 million into Imanal Concept Ltd’s Zenith Bank account, and N3.2 million directly to Aliyu. Despite repeated invitations — delivered through the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly and acknowledged on his WhatsApp line — the lawmaker allegedly failed to appear before investigators. The commission also said it received intelligence suggesting that Aliyu was planning to flee the country to avoid questioning.

Citing his refusal to honour lawful summons, the ICPC applied to the court for permission to declare Aliyu wanted, noting that the agency lacks constitutional authority to do so without judicial backing. The commission further requested an arrest warrant to enable law enforcement agencies, including INTERPOL, to intervene if Aliyu attempted to abscond abroad. Justice Nwite granted the application in full.

When contacted on Friday evening, Aliyu denied the allegations. He claimed he was unaware of the ICPC’s invitations until the Clerk of the Plateau Assembly informed him while he was in Saudi Arabia. He also denied forging the documents, insisting that they were obtained by Saad Abubakar and that his role was limited to delivering them to Jidda.

Court Orders Forfeiture of ₦246m Shares in Zenith, UBA, GTCO Tied to Ex-Army General.

EFCC wins major corruption case as blue-chip investments linked to retired military chief are seized for the Federal Government.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of nearly ₦246 million worth of shares in some of Nigeria’s biggest companies linked to retired Major General Umar Mohammed, a former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), and businessman Kayode Filani.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which argued that the shares were acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities during Mohammed’s tenure at NAPL.

The confiscated assets span several blue-chip firms, including Zenith Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, Transcorp Hotels Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, NAHCO, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, University Press Plc, Oando Plc, and Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc.

This judgment is being hailed as one of the most significant anti-corruption victories in recent years, showcasing the government’s resolve to recover illicit wealth and hold high-ranking officials accountable.

Court Jails Man Three Months for Internet Fraud in Lagos

Justice D.I.Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Innocent Owie Ochuko to three months imprisonment for internet fraud.

He was arraigned on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

The charge reads: “That you, INNOCENT OWIE OCHUKO, on or about the 20th June, 2025 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and with intent to gain advantage, held out yourself as "Hibrave Thugger" with an email: hibravethugger@gmail.com, through Google Account profile to unsuspecting victims, wherein you gained financial benefit to yourself through Bitcoin Investment Scam, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 22(2)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2015.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, I.G. Akhanolu called on Leonard Ayokor, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case .

In his review, Ayokor stated that “the defendant confessed his involvement in a Bitcoin investment scam. He also confessed that he assumed the fictitious name, Exxes, from the United States of America and that he benefited the sum of $1,000 AUD( One Thousand Australian Dollars). During investigations, an iPhone 15 and a Samsung S9 were recovered from him. He has restituted the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) through Zenith Bank manager’s cheque.”

Justice Dipeolu, , in view of the defendant’s plea and evidence tendered by the prosecution, found him guilty and also convicted him. He also sentenced him to three months imprisonment ,with an option of a N700,000 fine.

He equally ordered that the mobile devices recovered from him as well as the N300,000 manager’s cheque issued as restitution be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The convict’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when he was arrested on June 20, 2025 at County Estate, Lekki, Lagos in a sting operation by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for being involved in internet fraud. He was charged to court and jailed.

Why we are yet to pay June 2025 salary – FG.

The Federal Government on Friday, explained why civil servants are yet to receive their June 2025 salaries.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) said it is aware of complaints regarding the delayed payment of June 2025 salaries by some personnel, especially those whose accounts are domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc.

In a statement issued by Bawa Mokwa, the Director of Press and Public Relations, the OAGF said its investigations show that the salary payments for employees across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) were affected due to a technical network glitch during the processing of salaries at the bank.

Mokwa biter that the OAGF understands the anxiety and frustration this situation has caused, particularly given the importance of timely salary payments to the livelihoods and responsibilities of our valued public servants.

He also expressed FG’s regrets for the inconvenience caused by the delayed payment of salaries while assuring the workers of efforts to solve the challenge.

He said, “The Office is currently working closely with the relevant service providers and stakeholders to ensure that the failed payments are reprocessed without further delay. We appeal to all affected staff of the Federal Public Service to remain calm and rest assured that no effort will be spared in ensuring everyone receives their rightful salaries.

“Concrete steps have already been taken to isolate the problem and arrangements are underway to reprocess the failed payments in the shortest possible time. The welfare of Federal Government employees remains a top priority of the Office,” Mokwa stated.

He further assured that FG remains committed to transparency, accountability, and efficiency in all payroll operations and is open to continuous engagement with stakeholders to ensure sustained improvements in our service delivery.

Alleged N1.9bn Fraud: EFCC`s witnesses Narrate How Ministry Director, Surveyor Siphoned Contract Funds

The First Prosecuting Witness, PW1, William Abimbola, in the matter of former Deputy Director,Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor, Sulaiman Abdulkadir Muhammed of the Department of Highways and Planning on Monday, June 23, 2025 told Justice Jude Onwuegbu zie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Apo, how funds made for the ministry`s contract was siphoned.

The defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds amounting to N1,936,961,649.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Nine Naira ).

The alleged offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The funds were reportedly earmarked for the acquisition of titles for federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, but were allegedly converted to their personal use.

During Monday`s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN informed the court that he filed additional proofs of evidence on June 4, 2025 and it has been served on the defendant.

Abimbola, a staff and compliance officer of United Bank of Africa, UBA, while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel, testified on exhibit PW1E which contains the statement of transactions of the first defendant, where he revealed that on March 21, 2019, there was an inflow of N200,000 with narration from Federal Government of Nigeria. . Same date there were inflows of N300,000, N2,220,000, N917,000.00, N109,450,000.00, N3,750,400 and N4,662,000.00.

“In January 2019, there was inflow from the Federal government of Nigeria which was N2,130,000 and N4,530,000.00 , on January 30, 2019, there were similar transactions of N4,705,000 and N640,000 on March 15,20219. I saw transactions like N180,000.00. N278,369.00, N282,100.00, N1,809,950.00, N504,7000.00, N525,890,00, N581,600.00, N371,460.00, N297,000.00, N40,000.00, N249,500.00, N80,000.00 and N30,000”, he said.

Continuing “On April 4, 2019, there was an inflow of N20m, on April 16, 2019, there was an inflow of N4.9m and the other two are N4m each. On April 17, 2019 there were three inflows from the Federal government of Nigeria N35,108.00, N250,758.00 and N3,920,000.00.

On April 26, 2019, there were two credit inflows for N2, 208,000.00 and N200, 000. On May 2, 2019, there were inflows of N2,814,000.00, N1,066,000, N2,400,0000, N278,600.000, N1,140,000 and N197,200.00”.

She further revealed that on May 9, 2019 there were inflows of N630,000.00 and N2,890,000, on May 13,2019, there were two inflows of N504,000,800 and N2,308,000, on June 13, 2019 there were inflows of N116,841,000, N190,395, N222,400, N286,650, N82,000 and N840,600, among other transactions.

In another matter involving the first defendant, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, Remigus Ugwu, PW1, a staff with Zenith bank while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Abba Muhammed, SAN, and while examining Exhibit PW1D narrated how funds were transferred from four project managers of the “Right of Will project” from the Ministry of works into the defendant`s account.

He stated that on March 29, 2019, there was an inflow of N4,700,000 from Festus Oluwa Dare Oluwatayo , on June 27, 2019 , there was an inflow of N10million from Pascal Ugochukwu . On July 2, 2019 there was an inflow of N10 million from Oluwadare Oluatayo, On July 10, 2019, N3,978,242.00 by Mohammed Ahmed. On January 6, 2020 there was an inflow of N150 million from Olasehinde Micah Jolomi, on that same day there was an outflow of N9m to Chile Ushahemba Samson. There was another transfer of N9m to Chile Ushahemba Samson`s Diamond`s account.

The matter was also adjourned to July 16, 17, 2025 for continuation of trial.