Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the medical reports of ill health which the Tuoyo Omatsuli, former Executive Director, Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has consistently presented in court to stall his arraignment and trial, adding that a warrant of arrest will be issued against him if found to be false. At the day’s proceedings, lead prosecutor, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN had informed the court that the matter was for arraignment and trial, and that the prosecution was prepared to proceed with the businesses but was again, ambushed with the all too…
Author: Kunle Edun
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has stated that the country was recording substantial progress in the anti-corruption fight and urged all stakeholders to strive to do even more. He made the observation on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at a public presentation of the report on the review of six years of Transparency Corruption Perception Index (TI-CPI) Assessment on Nigeria, covering from 2019 to 2024, held at the NAF Conference Centre Suites, Jahi, Abuja. According to him, “There is no gainsaying the fact that in the last one year, the major stakeholders in the anti-corruption environment, including the legislature, executive and the judiciary have made substantial progress in our…
The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, (NBTI), Dr. Kazeem Kolawole Raji has praised the leadership qualities of the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede and the successes of the anti-corruption fight under his watch. He gave the commendations on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 when he led the executives of the Board on a courtesy to the EFCC Chairman at the corporate headquarters of the Commission in Jabi, Abuja. “Let me begin by wholeheartedly commending the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, a man of unparalleled vision, courage, and integrity, whose tenure has set new standards in the fight against corruption,” he said. He observed that the EFCC…
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has sought the support and collaboration of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in the pursuit of its mandate of controlling the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. The request was made on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 when the management of the Centre, led by its Director General, Johnson Babatunde, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) came on a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. “We are here essentially to look for…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, arraigned four Chinese before Justices M. Kakaki and Ayokunle Faji, both of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. The quartet are part of the 792-member syndicate of alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024 by officers of the EFCC in a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation.” While three of the defendants, Xia Guang Can, Li Xu Xin, and Zhang Xue Hui were arraigned on separate one-charge charges before Justice Kakaki, Lu Yubo was arraigned on a two-count charge before Justice Faji. The charges border…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ugenyi Kalu, before Justice R.A. Oshodi of a Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for fraud. The convict, a banker, was arraigned on a five-count charge, bordering on official corruption and gratification. One of the counts reads: “That you, Ugenyi Kalu sometime in November 2016 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division being the head of Lagos Region of NEXIM Bank, received monetary benefit for yourself in the sum of N4,000,000 (Four Million Naira) from one Obi Ogoh on account of the loan…
The First Prosecution Witness (PW1), Abubakar Hassan in the trial of former governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Commissioner for Finance, Ademola Banu on Monday, February 17, 2025, told Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the State High Court, sitting in Ilorin that the first defendant diverted to personal use, funds earmarked for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects in the state. The Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting both defendants on a 12-count charge of mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N5.78 billion. The witness, an Assistant Director of Finance in UBEC, while being led in evidence by prosecution, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, disclosed that a…
Operatives of the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 15 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, FCT. They were arrested in Amax Apartment, Guzape, following credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them include a Toyota Highlander with customized registration number (BORNO AAA) and phones. They have made useful statements and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity February 18, 2025 Credit: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 arrested 47suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Ekpoma, Edo State.The suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence that linked them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them include 14 exotic cars, laptops and phonesThey have made useful statements and would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity February 17, 2025 Credit: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Justice A.O. Owoeye of Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, on Monday, February 17, 2025 held that Mr. Ezekiel Thankgod must appear in court to take his plea and adjourned till March 6, 2025 for his arraignment. Mr. Thankgod, ex-manager of gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo has consistently evaded arraignment by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prompting a warrant of arrest to be issued on him by the court during January 16, 2025 proceedings. Thankgod is to be arraigned on a three-count charge, bordering on money laundering and dishonest conversion to the tune of $340,000. One of the charges reads: “That EZEKIEL ONYEDIKACHUKWU THANKGOD and EEZEE GLOBAL CONCEPTS…
The First Prosecution Witness, PW1, Jacob Lilian, in the trial of Ling Yang (a.k.a Shoa Ming), a Chinese, and part of the alleged 792-member syndicate of cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects has narrated before Justice D.I. Dipeolu of Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos how her job search at Genting International Co. Limited ended in being lured into dating scam by the defendant. Yang alongside Genting International Co. Limited is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a four-count charge, bordering on cybercrime and advance fee fraud, having been arrested in Lagos by officers of the Commission in a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” on December 10, 2024. One of the…
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has charged the newly-commissioned Detective Assistant Cadets, Course 5 of the Commission to imbibe the culture of integrity and discipline in the discharge of their duties. He gave the charge on Friday, February 14, 2025 at the the Passing out Parade ceremony of the cadets, numbering 169 (One Hundred and Sixty-nine) at Nigeria Police Mobile Training College, Ende Hills, Nasarawa State. Olukoyede who noted that the cadets were not only groomed in law enforcement, but in ethics, discipline and leadership charged them to uphold EFCC’s core values of integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration. “You have been trained not just in law enforcement but also in ethics,…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 14, 2025, arraigned 11 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud. The defendants are: Li Niu, Xiao Qinyun, Fu Zheng Yang, Xiao Yi, Bei Bei Linde Jun, Li Hang, Huan Livo, Wang Wei Tong Mo Ying, Gao Yang, Zebin Chen and Yuan Zhibin. They are part of the 792-member syndicate of alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested in Lagos on December 10, 2024 by officers of the EFCC in a surprise operation tagged…
The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche mni, has showered encomiums on the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede for his giant strides in the anti-corruption fight. Nwakuche gave the praises on Thursday, February 13, 2025 when he led a delegation of the top management team of the NCS on a courtesy visit to the EFCC boss at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. “You have created a wonderful track record. I am not here to blow your trumpet, but to add value to what you are doing by speaking from an external point of view.…
Justice M.S.Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Makurdi, Benue State has ordered the forfeiture to the federal government, the sum of N232,396,714.00 (Two Hundred and Thirty-two Million, Three Hundred and Ninety-six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fourteen Naira), a hotel as well as the sum of $4,977 (Four Thousand Nine Hundred and Seventy-seven US Dollars) recovered from seven fraudsters. The forfeiture followed the conviction and sentencing of the fraudsters, prosecuted on separate one-count charges, bordering on criminal impersonation, money laundering, cybercrime and obtaining by false pretence by the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The convicts are: Tamaraudeinyefa Shedrack Brakekebebe, Godday Conference Brakekebebe, Terhemba Josiah Asagh, Nyiter Avalumun Elijah, Ahmed Alabi…
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, February 13, 2025 adjourned till March 17, 2025 for ruling on the application filed by Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the multiple fraud charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision, EFCC. Otudeko was to be arraigned alongside a former Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Olabisi Onasanya; a former board member of Honeywell, Soji Akintayo and a firm, Anchorage Leisure Limited on a 13-count charge, bordering on obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12.3 billion, which the defendants seek to evade with…
Justice Chinyere E. Nwecheonwu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Kuchiako, Kuje, Abuja, on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, adjourned till February 27 for ruling on the bail application of former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, Professor Usman Yusuf. Yusuf was arraigned on a five-count bordering on embezzlement, conferring undue advantage, and fraud to the tune of N90, 439, 178.00( Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Nine thousand, One Hundred and Seventy Eight Naira only). Arguing against the application for bail by the defendant, prosecution counsel, Francis Usani in a counter affidavit, informed the court that the offences alleged against…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, arraigned one Precious Chimaobi Uzondu on a two -count charge bordering on alleged refusal to accept Naira as a legal tender before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi , Lagos. One of the count reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, arraigned one Precious Chimaobi Uzondu on a two -count charge bordering on alleged refusal to accept Naira as a legal tender before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi , Lagos. One of the count reads: “That you, Precious Chimaobi Uzondu, on the 10th of December 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, refused to accept Naira (Nigeria’s legal tender) by accepting the sum of $5700 ( Five Thousand Seven Hundred USD) as a means of payment for a…
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction and sentencing of one Chika Stanley Okoh for internet fraud, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was arraigned in December 2024 on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime. The charge reads: “That you Chika Stanley Okoh sometimes in 2024, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently held out yourself on facebook account @Zachary Levi as Zachary Levi, a male American actor, with intention to gain advantage for yourself and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under…