EFCC Nigeria

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EFCC Re-arraigns Lawyer for Alleged N91million Land Fraud in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned one Barrister Mike Ikegbunam before Justice M. T. Segun-Bello of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N91, 000, 000. 00 (Ninety-one Million Naira). The defendant, who was previously arraigned on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the same court, (who has now been transferred), pleaded not guilty and was granted bail based on self-recognizance but was asked to deposit his Call to Bar Certificate with the court. Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Mike Ikegbunam on 16th August, 2022 in Umuagu Ozu Village, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria to deliver to you, the sum of N25,000,000.00 (Twenty-five mMillion naira) under the pretence that you are capable of acquiring some portions of land for their members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu Town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Mike Ikegbunam, on 26th October, 2022 in Umuagu Ozu village, Anambra State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, induced the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institute and Association Institution of Nigeria to deliver to you the sum of N20, 000, 000. 00 (Twenty million Naira) under the pretence that you are capable of acquiring some portions of land for their members at Umuagu Ndiukwuanu town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. Again, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Mainforce Adaka Ekwu prayed the court for a trial date, to enable the prosecution to prove its case. However, defence counsel, S. E. Nnonyelu prayed the court to allow his client to continue to enjoy the earlier bail granted him by the previous judge. The court granted the prayer and adjourned the matter to October 21 and 22, 2026 for commencement of trial. Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023 owing to the claims of the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institute and Association Institution of Nigeria (SSAUTHRIAI), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi branch, alleging that its members paid N91 Million to him for the purchase of 130 (One hundred and thirty) plots of land at Umuagu, Ozu Ndiukwuanu town, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Investigations showed that the defendant, who has refunded N10, 000, 000. 00 (Ten million Naira) to the Association, allegedly used N16, 500, 000. 00 (Sixteen million, Five hundred thousand Naira), suspected to be part of the money to acquire three plots of land for himself at Dubai estate, phase 2 in Awka, Anambra State.

Court Jails Fraudster for N1.3m fraud in Maiduguri Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri, on Monday, May 4, 2026 convicted and sentenced one Saleh Isa Abdullahi to six month imprisonment. The convict was arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation to the tune of N1,340,000.00 (One Million, Three Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira). The charge reads: "That you, Saleh Isa Abdullahi with National Identification Number 83649788566, sometimes in 2024 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, dishonestly misappropriated and converted to your own use the aggregate sum of N1,34,000.00 (One Million, Three Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) money belonging to Faruq Muhammad Ali, being amount given to you for the supply of 100 bags of cement which you converted to your personal use without his consent thereby committed an offence contrary to section 296 of the Penal Code Law and other Matters Connected therewith and punishable under Section 297 of the same law." The defendant pleaded "guilty" to the charge prepared against him by the EFCC. Counsel to the prosecution, Mukhtar Ali Ahmed, prayed the court to convict him accordingly, while counsel to the defendant, A.B Usman pleaded for leniency and urged the court to temper justice with mercy since he has restituted the money involved. Thereafter, Justice Kumaliya sentenced and convicted the convict to six month imprisonment with an option of N100, 000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine. The convict’s journey to the Correctional facility started when he criminally misappropriated 100 bags of cement worth N1, 34,000.00 (One Million, Three Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) for his own personal use.

Court Orders Interim Forfeiture of Two Vehicles Recovered from Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Lagos Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday, May 4, 2026, ordered the interim forfeiture of two vehicles linked to suspected internet fraudsters, Christopher Chikudozie Ubammadu and James Femi Joshua. The vehicles are two grey-coloured Lexus ES 350 cars with registration numbers SMK-774JN and EKY-753JZ. The judge gave the order, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, through its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa. Moving the application for interim forfeiture, Kofarnaisa told the court that it was supported by an affidavit deposed to by Nwike Fortune, an investigating officer with the EFCC. In the affidavit, Nwike stated that the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Commission received intelligence regarding the activities of suspected internet fraudsters operating in the Apapa area of Lagos State. He also stated that operatives of the Commission, on January 29, 2026, carried out a sting operation during which several suspects were apprehended and the vehicles were recovered from their residences. Fortune further stated that since the vehicles were impounded and brought to the Commission’s office, no individual had come forward to claim ownership. Further investigations, he said, revealed that both vehicles are owned by Ubammadu and Joshua. He added that the suspects allegedly used proceeds of fraudulent activities to acquire the vehicles. Kofarnaisa, therefore, submitted that the vehicles were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. Justice Owoeye granted the application after considering the evidence presented. The judge also directed the Commission to publish the interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper and ordered any interested party to appear before the court within 14 days to show cause why the vehicles should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria

EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged N85.5m Land Fraud in Enugu The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Udemba John Chibuzor before Justice F. O. Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu. The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune N85, 500, 000. 00 (Eighty-five Million, Five hundred thousand Naira). Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Udemba John Chibuzor, sometime on the 6th day of December 2024 in Enugu, Enugu State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of N30, 000, 000. 00 (Thirty million Naira only) from Decent Purch Services & Repairs when you presented yourself as the owner of a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated at Zik Avenue, Uwani and sold same to them knowing fully well that the said property has been sold to one Mr. Ogbodo Augustine Chimezie, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Udemba John Chibuzor, sometime on the 9th day of January 2025 in Enugu, Enugu State of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did commit a felony to wit: with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of N55, 500, 000. 00 (Fifty-five million, Five hundred thousand Naira only) from Decent Purch Services & Repairs when you presented yourself as the owner of a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated at Zik Avenue, Uwani and sold same to them knowing fully well that the said property has been sold to one Mr. Ogbodo Augustine Chimezie, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. In view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Faruk Abdullah prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Correctional facility. The matter was thereafter adjourned to June 3, 2026 for trial, while the defendant was remanded at the Correctional facility. The defendant was arrested when he allegedly sold a property known as “Nitel Staff Quarters” situated in Zik Avenue in Uwani area of Enugu State to Decent Purch Services & Repairs. He fraudulently presented himself as the owner of the said property. After collecting N85, 500, 000. 00 for the property from the petitioner, the defendant switched off his phone and became incommunicado. The petitioner later discovered that the defendant allegedly used the same property to defraud other unsuspecting victims.

EFCC Arraigns Fake BDC Operator for Alleged N78. 2million Fraud in Onitsha The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Okeke Ejike Callistus, a fake Bureau De Change operator before Justice D. A. Onyefulu of the Anambra State High Court sitting in Onitsha, Anambra State. Callistus was arraigned on a ten-count charge bordering on forgery and stealing to the tune of N78, 295, 000 (Seventy-eight million, Two hundred and Ninety-five thousand Naira). Count one of the charge reads: “Mr. Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime on the 2nd of May, 2024, at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N62, 745, 000. 00 (Sixty-two million, Seven hundred and Forty-five thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu trading under the name and style of Leatez Enterprises and thereby committed an offence”. Count two of the charge reads: “That you, Okeke Ejike Callistus (trading under the name and style of Nwachimereze Amen Resources), sometime between the 3rd to the 7th of May, 2024 at Onitsha, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Anambra State, did commit a felony to wit: stealing by fraudulently converting to your personal use the sum of N15, 550, 000. 00 (Fifteen million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira) being property of Ezegwu Leonard Chinedu and thereby committed an offence”. The offence contravenes Section 342 of the Criminal Code Law, Cap 36, Anambra State and punishable under Section 353 (12) of the same Law. The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him by the Commission and in view of his plea, counsel to the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE II Rotimi Enitan Ajobiewe prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service. However, defence counsel, Hypolite Ohaneche informed the court about a pending bail application before it, moved it and prayed the court to admit his client to bail. Ajobiewe opposed the bail application on the ground that “there is likelihood of the defendant jumping bail due to the fact that he previously jumped bail granted him by the Commission”. After listening to both sides, Justice Onyefulu granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties. One of them must have a tax clearance certificate. The sureties must be related to the defendant, live within the jurisdiction of the court and have a National identification Number. The defendant was arrested when a petitioner, Ezeugwu Leonard Chinedu, claimed that he gave him the sum of N78, 295, 000 for onward transmission to his business partner in China. Instead of remitting the money, the defendant remitted some and sent telex copies of “ABA Bank of Cambodia” for the outstanding amount, which upon presentation to the partner in China, were found to be fake. During the course of investigation, the defendant admitted receiving the said sum but added that he diverted part of the money for his personal use.

EFCC Arraigns Former SKye Bank Chairman, Tunde Ayeni for N15.6b Fraud The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, May 4, 2026, arraigned a former Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni before Justice Jude Onwuzuruike of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja. Ayeni was arraigned on a 17-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conversion of investors' funds to the tune N15,665,085,429 (Fifteen Billion, Six hundred and Sixty five Million, Eighty five thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty-nine Naira (N15,665,085,429). Prosecution counsel E.E. Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment and prosecution ready for trial. "We have before the court 17-count charge dated April 28, 2026, we humbly apply that the charge be read to the defendant”, he said. Count three of the charge reads: "That you, Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Skye Bank Plc between 21st of October, 2014 and 19th November, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc's Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the aggregate sum of Three billion, Two hundred and One million, Five Hundred and Thirty Five Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Nine Naira, Forty two kobo(N3,201,535,429.42) by transferring same to Misa Limited's account No: 1011295717 and 1011295718 domiciled with Zenith Bank in Violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other regulations and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 312 of the same Act. Count five of the charge reads: "That you Tunde Ayeni, whilst being the Chairman, Board of Directors of the Defunct Skye Bank Plc on or about 27th November, 2014, at Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and having dominion over depositors' funds domiciled in the defunct Skye bank Plc's Suspense Account, committed criminal breach of trust when you dishonestly misappropriated the sum of Five Billion, Seventy Eight million, Five hundred and Fifty thousand Naira(N5, 078,550,000) by transferring same to Union Registrar Limited's Account No: 0003490559 domiciled with Union Bank in violation of the Prudential Guidelines and other Regulations and thereby Committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code and Punishable under Section 312 of same Act." Ayeni pleaded "not guilty" to the charges when they were read to him. In view of his "not guilty" plea, Iheanacho prayed the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre. Defence counsel, Ahmed Raji Bashir, SAN, informed the court that the charge was given to the defendant on a public holiday adding that he considered it imperative to inform the court. He also prayed the court to release the defendant to him or return him to the custody of the EFCC. Justice Onwuzuruike adjourned the matter to May 13, 2026, for hearing of the bail application, while the defendant was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending determination of bail application.

Alleged $4.5bn Fraud: Court Admits Co-Defendant’s Statement in Emefiele’s Trial Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, May 4, 2026, ruled that the extrajudicial statement made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant to the erstwhile Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, is admissible in court. Omoile had challenged the admissibility of his statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that it was obtained under oppression and inducement. This led to a “Trial-within-Trial” to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of the statement. Omoile is currently facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. At Monday's hearing, C.C. Okezie appearing for the prosecution while Labi Lawal, SAN, appearing for both first and second defendants In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had successfully proven that the statements obtained on February 26, 2024 were made voluntarily and not under any form of inducement, threat, or coercion. “I have carefully considered the evidence presented during the mini trial. The environment was active, and there is no evidence that the second defendant was physically harmed. I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily,” the judge stated. The court further ruled that the statements made on February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1–3, were not obtained under duress and were therefore admissible as evidence. Following the ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Commendation NOT Validation

@ChidiOdinkalu Clearing the Air👌

Let's be clear: The claim by the chairman of @officialEFCC labelling 60% of students in #Nigeria's tertiary universities as criminals is plainly irresponsible & unconscionable. It is not law enforcement. 1st, it is outside the statutory responsibility of the #EFCC to profile a demographic or social group by reason of or with reference to their station in life. #Nigeria's constitution actually prohibits that. 2nd, it is already difficult enough to be young in Nigeria at this time without having to deal with being officially labelled as expendable by the authority of the Chairman of the EFCC. 3rd, the EFCC was established to go after high profile criminals & #PoliticallyExposedPersons who have designs on Nigeria's patrimony. Those are not students. They are politicians & in pursuit of that species, the record of the EFCC is - at best - abysmal. The only political rogues whom the EFCC is able or willing to pursue are those who are in opposition. Even in that, it mostly has worse than a patchy record. Those of them in the ruling party are patrons of the EFCC. 4th, the EFCC has not provided proof that its claim against or about students is founded on any study or survey that can stand the test of minimal methodological rigour. If it had, then the thing to do would be to make that report public so that its claims can be assessed with due regard to its methods. Above all, even assuming that the EFCC has undertaken a rigorous study to inform this claim, it amounts to an irresponsible waste of public resources to focus on or prioritise students over & above the politicians who have kidnapped Nigeria & hold its citizens & communities hostage to sovereign ransom. It will be interesting to see the EFCC's study on what proportion of Nigerian politicians are involved in criminal pillage or, in fact, what proportion of civil servants or even judges & magistrates are thieves. Until the EFCC Chairman can produce such studies, his attempt to criminalise Nigeria's young people, especially students, must assume its pitiful place in a disreputable pantheon. The Chairman of @officialEFCC has not yet made good on his promise to bring @OfficialGYBKogi to account. He is still unable to comply with the order of @SupremeCourtNg to ensure the retrial of @OUKtweets. The Commission seems congenitally wired to fail in bringing every senior politician to account, including those caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar. The EFCC should not be this idle or distracted. It is unfortunate that a succession of public servants with pathetically thin records of achievement turn on Nigeria's young people & students when they should have more important things to do. dailytrust.com/efcc-chair-6-o…

Clearing the Air 👌

Oba of Lagos Lends Support to EFCC in Fight against Corruption The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, has assured the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, of the full support and commitment of the state’s traditional institution in the fight against corruption and other economic and financial crimes. He gave the assurance on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lagos while receiving the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC , Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE1 Bawa Usman Kaltungo, who led a delegation of top officers of the Commission on a courtesy visit to his palace. Oba Akiolu described the visit as a mark of respect not only to the traditional institution of Lagos, but also to the enduring values of integrity, justice, and collaboration. “The Palace of Lagos regards the mission of the EFCC not merely as an administrative responsibility, but as a moral crusade. In a global economic hub such as Lagos, the integrity of the financial system is the very foundation of prosperity”, he said. The monarch further described corruption as a shadow that must be dispelled by the light of transparency and the firm hand of justice. While commending the EFCC’s relentless efforts to root out corruption and financial crimes, he noted that the anti-graft war requires strong institutions and collective resolve. “Your request for fatherly support is hereby granted with the full weight of the Throne. The wisdom of this Palace is rooted in the eternal truth that righteousness exalts a nation. Together with the Council of Chiefs, we pledge our cooperation in fostering a culture of accountability that will resonate across Lagos and beyond”. Earlier, Kaltungo thanked the monarch for the warm reception and conveyed the greetings of the EFCC Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede. Recalling his first encounter with Oba Akiolu at the outset of his career in 2004, he said: “I am here to formally introduce myself as the Acting Zonal Director of EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos. “Today, I feel like I am coming home to see my father, now that I am back at the Lagos Directorate.” He added that the visit was also aimed at strengthening the relationship between the traditional institution and the Commission’s efforts to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability. “Today, my team and I consider it both necessary and respectful to seek an audience with you, acknowledging your fatherly role in the state and fulfilling our mandate to engage critical stakeholders in the fight against economic and financial crimes,” he said. Kaltungo further noted that traditional leaders play a pivotal role in shaping societal values and promoting honesty and fairness, adding that “We pray for your continued wisdom and guidance, and we are confident that, together, we can strengthen the foundation of integrity for the benefit of all.”

Olukoyede to Fintechs: Guide Your Platforms against Fraudsters The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has tasked Financial Technology Companies across the country to be vigilant and insulate their networks from manipulative antics of fraudsters. He gave the charge in Abuja on Thursday, April 30, 2026 while addressing chief executive officers, CEOs of Fintechs at an industry engagement meeting held at the corporate headquarters of the Commission. The EFCC’s boss, while applauding the corporate executives on their strides in opening global financial space and visual asset platforms for the entire country through measurable inclusion and innovation, cautioned them against fraudsters who are exploiting the same space to perpetrate criminal activities. ‘The opportunities you have created have also given the criminals the opportunity to perpetrate crimes and over the years, we discovered that there is a need for us to meet from time to time even in the interest of your business. We will also tell you the things that we are privy to in respect of your operations and services that we think the criminals are actually exploiting and how to block those spaces and strengthen the regulatory regime around the business you do”, he said. He called for stronger collaboration between the EFCC and the Fintechs for a sound working relationship and intelligence sharing. He enjoined the business executives to jealously guard the integrity and reputation of their businesses, stressing that good reputation easily grows businesses. “ It has taken some of you years to get to where you are and I tell you, one transaction mishandled can destroy what you have built for ten years, you must be conscious of your reputation, that is the most valuable thing you need to grow in a business, not even the money. Once a reputation is damaged, you can hardly get it back. We want to collaborate with you, work with you and that is one of the ways to fulfil our own mandate”, he said. He further stated that every business player in the country should always work in synergy with others in order to strengthen the regulatory regime and build strength against threats to the economy like insecurity. He particularly cautioned Fintechs to firm up their networks against terrorism financing by complying with extant regulations regarding suspicious transaction reporting. “We have been complaining about insecurity in Nigeria, of course we are also vested with the power to investigate terrorism financing and one of the areas we have seen that these people exploit is your space, we think it is high time we did something about that. People pay ransom and we discover that most times they collect the ransom through the POS, so what can we do to tidy up this loose end, whether by virtue of doing your KYC or coming up with other ideas?”, he said. Discussions were held on a wide-range of operational and regulatory issues, all geared towards sanitizing the working environment of Fintechs and building sterling strength against compromises and fraudulent engagements.

Darius Ishaku: Court Adjourns till June 15 as Counsel Withdraws Services from Second Defendant Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja on Thursday, April 30, 2026, adjourned the trial of the former Taraba State governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku alongside a former permanent secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero to June 15, 2026. The adjournment followed the announcement in court by Yero’s counsel, Samuel Fagade, of the immediate withdrawal of his services from him. Both defendants are facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 15-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion. At the Thursday sitting, trial was to continue with the prosecution’s examination-in-chief of its third witness, PW3, Taiwo Johns, but was truncated by the withdrawal announcement by counsel to the second defendant. “I would like to bring your notice of my withdrawal of service, urging my lord to grant it. I am also aware that the second defendant has a substitute counsel,” he said. Following the development, Justice Oriji demanded from the second defendant how he would want the court to intervene for him, to which he prayed for a long adjournment to enable him shop for a new counsel. "I want to plead with his lordship to grant me adjournment of four to six weeks to enable me to get a legal representation. As it is now, I don't have legal representation. I have not engaged any lawyer to represent me. Kindly grant me permission so that I can look for another lawyer to stand for me, four to six weeks so that I don't come back and say my lord increase it for me," he said. While the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not object to the application, he, however, observed that the counsel to second defendant, who withdrew his services was present in court at the last adjourned date when the prosecution began to lead the PW3 in his examination-in-chief, noting that the counsel did not give the minimum three days’ resignation notice to the court as required by law. "When we called our PW3, this counsel was there, representing the second defendant, he should have at least given the court three days’ notice according to the stipulation of the law,” he said. Speaking further, he disclosed that the second defendant was not sincere in his claim of not having a legal replacement. “The second defendant came with a lawyer and the lawyer actually wrote his name on the Cause List and then cancelled it when the second defendant wanted to use the opportunity to get an adjournment. They came together to this court and the lawyer is in court hearing me. So, your lordship should not grant the luxury of six weeks. Your lordship should not grant it particularly for the second defendant,” he said. The new counsel, who then had to unveil himself, informed the court that he had actually begun a discussion with the second defendant but that no conclusion has been reached, yet. Justice Oriji granted the request of the second defendant’s counsel to withdraw his services from his client and adjourned the matter till June 15, July 2, 7, 13,14 and 15, 2926 for continuation of trial.

Court Convicts Two for Cybercrime Activities in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters before Justice R. M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna State. The convicts are Victor Alene and Emmanuel Usman. The defendants were amongst those arrested when the Kaduna Zonal Directorate received an intelligence of some individuals suspected to be involved in internet and cyber-related fraud at Suleja, Niger State. Visit efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.

One Convicted for Impersonation in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on Thursday, April 30th, 2026, secured the conviction of one James Okori (a.k.a. Anthony Hopkins) before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court. He was convicted on a two count-charges bordering on offences of impersonation. The defendant was arrested when the Kaduna Zonal Directorate received an intelligence regarding the suspicious activities of some individuals suspected to be involved in internet fraud at Agwa, Chikun L.G.A. of Kaduna State. Visit efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.

Court Convicts Two for Criminal Misappropriation and Criminal Conspiracy in Kaduna The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the EFCC has secured the conviction of Muhammed Auwal Abdullahi and Muhammad M.B Takko before Justice M. A Sambo of the High Court sitting in Bauchi State. They were convicted for Criminal Misappropriation and Criminal Conspiracy. Visit efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.

Emir Reiterates Support for EFCC’s Anti-corruption’s Efforts His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, has reiterated support to the EFCC in the fight against graft. He made the assertion when the acting Director, Kaduna Zonal Directorate, ACE I Ahmed M. Ghali, led officers of the Directorate on a familiarization visit to the emirate council. Visit efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.

Oba of Lagos Pledges Full Support for EFCC’s Anti-Graft Fight The Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, has assured the EFCC of the full support and commitment of the state’s traditional institution in the fight against corruption and other economic and financial crimes. He gave the assurance on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lagos while receiving the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, who led a delegation of top officers of the Commission on a courtesy visit to his palace. Visit efcc.gov.ng for details and more stories.