Author: Kunle Edun

Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, February 27, 2025 arrested 19 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations in Benin City, Edo State. Their arrest followed credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities. Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity February 27, 2025 Credit: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

The Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede has called on Nigerians from all walks of life to join hands together to tackle the menace of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption. He stated this in Abuja on Wednesday February 26, 2025 at the EFCC Academy, Karu, while declaring open the Anti-Corruption Collective Action Workshop themed “Strengthening Ethics and Behavioural Change against Corruption”.    Olukoyede,  who spoke through the Acting Commandant, EFCC Academy,  Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Joseph Ogwiji  emphasized the significance of collective action as a preventive modality in tackling…

The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to activities of some fraudsters who on Thursday, 27 February, 2025, organised a live session on a Tik-Tok platform using the Commission’s logo to generate traffic and defraud unsuspecting members of the public. The fraudsters used six fake accounts all bearing the logo of the Commission and names of non-existent directorates. Among the names and logos used for the fraudulent live session are: “EFCC of Nigeria”, “EFCC Lagos”, “EFCC Delta”, “EFCC of Benin”,” EFCC of Jos,” and “EFCC Saga.” The Commission has no Tik-Tok account and the public is advised to discountenance…

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo before Justice E. N. Oluedo of the Enugu State High Court, sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu for fraud. He is facing prosecution on a one-count charge, bordering on stealing by conversion to the tune of  N41million. The offence is contrary to Section 342 of CAP 30, Criminal Code Law of Enugu State and punishable under Section 353 (L) of the same Law. The charge reads: “That you, Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo on or about the 23rd day of November, 2015 in Enugu within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently converted…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, arraigned Jude Okoye Chigozie, older brother and ex-manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct P-Square music group, before Justice A.O. Owoeye of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N1.38billion, $1million and £34,537.59. One of the charges reads: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometimes in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a…

The  Kano Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Commander of the EFCC,  CE Ibrahim Shazali, has called on public servants in Jigawa State to embrace integrity, accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties. He made the call in Dutse on Tuesday,  February 25, 2025 while presenting a paper titled “Corrupt Practices and Punishments in Government Businesses” delivered at a three-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.  In his presentation, Shazali emphasized the need for public servants to lead by example in the fight against corruption. He highlighted the…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola  Olukoyede has alerted Nigerians that organized foreign fraud syndicates are establishing cells in Nigerian cities and recruiting young Nigerians into serious organized cybercrimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.  He made the disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 while receiving participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, EIMC 18 of the National Institute for Security Studies, NISS, led by the Director of Studies, Hyginus Ngele  to the Commission.  Olukoyede expressed surprise on how bandits and insurgents are able to sustain their activities over the years, stressing that the…

Justice R.A. Oshodi of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on February 26, 2025 refused an application of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, asking the trial judge to recuse himself from the case on the allegation of bias. Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. They have pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. At the last…

The Tenth Prosecuting Witness, PW10,   Udochukwu Okparache, in the ongoing trial of former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, told Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, that he was not aware of a total sum of N860m ( Eight Hundred and Sixty Million Naira) lodged in his company`s account by the Anambra State government. Okparache, a general contractor and owner of Youdooh Ventures Limited, made the disclosure while being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, stating that when he inquired from his account officer to confirm to him what…

The staff of Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, February 24, 2025 heaped encomiums on the Zonal Director, Mahmud Shuaib Bello, Commander of EFCC, as they bade him farewell in an elaborate sendoff party, organized in his honour, having retired meritoriously from the service of the Commission. Speaking at the event, organized at the office premises in Enugu, Deputy Commander of the EFCC, and the Directorate’s Head of Legal and Prosecution Department, DCE Onjefu Obe, described Bello as epitome of gentility, noting that saying goodbye to a leader who passionately served the nation without blemish was always difficult.  “Here we are with one of the best persons you can meet in the…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 arraigned additional 16 Chinese before Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud. They are: Hu Hui (a.k.a A Bin), Liao Ri Xing (a.k.a. Li Jun), Li Qiang (a.k.a. Yang Huan Huan), A Wen, Da Tou, Cheng Jian, Cong Bing, Fei Fan, Huxi Heng, Zheng Wei (a. k. a. A Hong), Huang Zhi, Zhang Lei, Sun Zhi Peng, Huang Jin Hui, Wù Hao, and Lu Qiang. They are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested…

Justice R.A. Oshodi of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has adjourned till February 26, 2025 to deliver ruling on an application by a former governor of the Cemtral Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, asking the trial judge to recuse himself alleging bias.  Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on receiving gratification and corrupt demand proferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His co-defendant, Henry Omoile, is facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts by agents. They have pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. At Monday’s proceedings, February…

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  Abuja Zonal Directorate,  on Monday,  February 24, 2025 arrested 59 suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested at Abacha Road,  Mararaba axis of Nasarawa state following credible intelligence about their  suspected involvement in fraudulent internet activities.  Items recovered  from them include 73 phones of different brands.  The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded. Dele Oyewale Head, Media & Publicity February 24, 2025 Credit: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

The trial of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State, continued on Monday, February 24, 2025 before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC presenting its 9th witness. Obiano is facing prosecution by the EFCC on nine-count charges of embezzlement and money laundering to the tune of N4 billion. At Monday`s proceedings, the EFCC called  Prosecution Witness 9, PW9, Andrew Ali, a staff of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,  and Head of the License office who revealed that three companies out of the 23 company accounts connected with the  alleged N4 billion fraud were not duly licensed…

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed the commitment of the anti-corruption agency to strengthen its collaboration with law enforcement agencies in order to stimulate the economy.  He disclosed this in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the opening ceremony of the fifth edition of the Nigeria Police Annual Conference and Retreat for Senior Officers. The theme of the conference, “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing”, he said, aligned with the vision and mission of the EFCC.   “Stimulating the economy of Nigeria is something…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, February 24, 2025, presented its first round of witnesses in the trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.    Also presented was the statement of account and account opening package for American International School, Abuja, Account No. 1000684346, covering September 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020. These were admitted as Exhibits 521-5277, while the statement of account was marked as Exhibits 621-622. Bello is facing a 19-count charge of criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N80.2…

A Federal High Court in Abuja and presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite  has thrown out  a suit seeking to compel the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi,  SAN,  to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  from investigating allegations of fraud and economic crimes allegedly committed by a businessman, Abubakar Ismail Isa. The judge dismissed the case on Monday,  February 24,  2025 on the ground that the request of the businessman lacked merit and substance.  Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement suit against AGF and EFCC, Justice Nwite held that…

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has been honoured as the Anti-corruption Crusader of the Year 2024. The honour was bestowed on him on Saturday, February 15, 2024 by a leading Nigerian news magazine, The Reporters Nigeria, at an impressive ceremony which  held at A Class Park and Events Centre, Maitama, Abuja. Halima AbdulRauf who spoke on behalf of the organisers, said Olukoyede’s choice for the award was informed by his “tireless efforts in combating financial crimes, promoting accountability and setting ethical leadership benchmarks.” Mr. Wilson Uwujaren,  EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs who…

The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, February 21, 2025, arraigned 17 more Chinese and a company, Genting International Co. Ltd, before Justice Musa Kakaki and Justice Daniel Osiagor, both of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos for fraud. They are: Mao Bu Yi, Li Xiang Long, Dai Li, Yu Hai Qing, Jia Yang, Jia Zhi, Hao Tao Kun, Liu Chuang, Zhao Xiao Liang, Ziao Zi Cheng, Zhang San Feng, Li Zhong Chan, Chen Gui Ping, Su Jan Fu, Su Zong Gen, Wang Jie, and Zeng Zerong. The defendants are among the 792-member cryptocurrency investment and romance…

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, February 21, 2025, ordered the final forfeiture of $4,719,054, (Four Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety-one Thousand Dollars, Fifty-four Cents) and N830,875,611 (Eight Hundred and Thirty Million, Eight Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand, Six Hundred and Eleven Naira) as well as a number of  properties linked to the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele. The judge gave the order, following a motion on notice filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The Commission had through the motion, filed by its counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, sought a…