In the corridors of power and the realm of national security, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi stands tall as the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). With an illustrious career spanning decades within the service, Bichi epitomizes the values of integrity, dedication, and service to the nation. His tenure as the DSS DG is marked by a remarkable display of leadership qualities that have not only upheld the integrity of the institution but also fostered a culture of excellence and commitment among its personnel. One of the defining characteristics of Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi is his unwavering commitment…
Author: Adewale A.
One of the most discussed news events in Nigerian media in recent weeks was the official visit of Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar to Russia, during which he hinted at his country’s possible intentions to join BRICS. It’s pertinent to note that earlier the Vice President of Nigeria Kashim Shettima attended another BRICS summit which was held in Johannesburg in August 2023. Joining the powerful economic bloc would allow Abuja to raise its prestige and status both on the continent and in the global political arena. Nigeria is one of the largest countries and one of the strongest economies in Africa…
On Wednesday, March 18, 2024, the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully prosecuted and sentenced Iliyasu Garba and Joseph Ude before Justice K.O. Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The charges against them pertained to counterfeiting and possession of counterfeit currency. The defendants were brought before the court alongside Benjamin Opara on a five-count charge relating to counterfeiting and possession of counterfeit currency. One of the counts alleged that they conspired to deal in counterfeit currency, specifically $10,000 (Ten thousand Dollars). While Garba and Ude pleaded guilty to the charges, Opara…
On Monday, March 18, 2024, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested a man named Kayode Cole for issuing a death threat against the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Ola Olukoyede. Cole was apprehended in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The threat was made through Cole’s Instagram handle, “1billionsecretss”, in response to a story posted by the popular Instagram blogger, Instablog9ja, on February 1, 2024. Instablog9ja had reported on allegations of money laundering within religious sects, with a caption implicating the EFCC Chairman in investigations. In the comments section, Cole threatened that Olukoyede…
Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to ensure swift responses to inquiries referred to it by the EFCC and other Nigerians. Addressing the issue during a meeting with the Registrar-General of CAC, Hussani Ishaq Magaji, SAN, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, Olukoyede stressed the importance of timely responses, considering the sensitive and critical roles both agencies play for the Nigerian populace. He expressed gratitude for the access provided by CAC to…
Once again, Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court in Ilorin handed down convictions and sentences to a group of six internet fraudsters on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The convicted individuals, Ismail Abdulbasit, Oladipo Victor, Ibrahim Oluwatosin, Ayantola Segun Samuel, Musbau Waris Atomo, and Babalola Rasaq Oluwadamilare, were found guilty after pleading to separate one-count charges brought against them by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Abdulbasit, for instance, was charged with impersonating Jason Boone from the United States of America in February 2024 at Malete, Kwara State, an offence which contravenes Section…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) convened on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to devise fresh strategies aimed at propelling Nigeria towards its departure from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List. The genesis of these strategies stemmed from a courtesy visit by Hafsat Abubakar Bakari, Director and Chief Executive Officer of NFIU, to Ola Olukoyede, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, at the Commission’s headquarters. Bakari, in her address, underscored the significance of the visit, citing a shared history and the imperative to forge stronger ties in confronting the FATF challenge.…
We urge WhatsApp users to remain vigilant following reports of scammers infiltrating accounts and soliciting money from the contacts of their victims. This concerning trend highlights the importance of exercising caution and implementing security measures to safeguard personal information and finances. The modus operandi of these scammers typically involves gaining unauthorized access to a user’s WhatsApp account, either through phishing attacks, malware, or other deceptive means. Once inside, they exploit the trust established with the victim’s contacts by sending messages requesting financial assistance. These messages often portray a fabricated emergency or crisis, compelling recipients to act swiftly without verifying the…
Providing affordable, eco-friendly cooking solutions for millions of Nigerians is the goal of a finalist for a research award worth £100,000. Kenneth Uche, 28 from Lagos, Nigeria, is one of nine entrepreneurs set to be considered for the University of Reading’s just IMAGINE if… award. The Just IMAGINE If… award, held every two years, invites forward thinkers to submit their sustainable business ideas for evaluation by renowned entrepreneurs and social innovators. The winner receives a substantial award of £100,000 for research and business support from the University of Reading and the Henley Business School. Smokeless Briqs Energy Solutions was created…
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the conviction and sentencing of Bose Lateef before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, March 15, 2024, for her involvement in money racketeering. Lateef was arraigned by the EFCC on a charge related to Naira Racketeering under Section 21(4) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act. The charge detailed her activities, accusing her of hawking Naira notes totalling N269,000 in N500 denominations at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos. Upon being presented with the charge, Lateef pleaded guilty, prompting the EFCC’s counsel,…