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Category: Crime

  • NDLEA Nabs Businessman, Olisaka Chibuzor Calistus with 6kg of Cocain

    NDLEA Nabs Businessman, Olisaka Chibuzor Calistus with 6kg of Cocain

    A businessman named Olisaka Chibuzor Calistus has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with 6kg weighing Cocaine.

    He was apprehended at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) while attempting to smuggle the drug into Nigeria.

    NDLE Head Head of Public Affairs, Femi Babafemi, said Calistus, an importer and exporter, was arrested, Sunday, December 15, with 256 wraps of cocaine weighing 6 kilograms.

    This seizure marks the largest interception of cocaine at Kano airport since the establishment of the MAKIA Command in 2006.  

    The drugs were discovered during routine passenger clearance of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 941, which had arrived from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  

    Calistus, who claimed to be involved in import and export business, underwent a body screening, during which the drugs were found concealed in pellets inside his body.  

    The arrest is part of ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and ensure the safety of the nation’s airports

  • Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Released on N500 Million Bail

    Ex-Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Released on N500 Million Bail

    Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been granted bail by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. 

    The court set the bail amount at N500 million and required three sureties, each responsible for the same sum. 

    The sureties must be reputable Nigerians with property in areas such as Maitama, Jabi, Utako, Apo, Guzape, Garki, or Asokoro. 

    Additionally, Bello is to surrender his international passport and other travel documents to the court and is prohibited from leaving the country without prior approval.

    Bello, who served as Kogi State’s governor from 2016 to 2024, faces charges related to an alleged N110 billion fraud. 

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    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused him and two former state officials, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and possession of unlawfully obtained property. 

    The alleged illicit acquisitions include several properties in Abuja and Dubai, as well as substantial sums transferred to foreign bank accounts.

    This bail follows a previous N500 million bail granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on December 13, 2024, concerning a separate 19-count charge involving an alleged N80.2 billion fraud.

     Both cases are set for trial in early 2025.

  • Kidnapping of ASUU Chairman’s Wife: Lecturer Arrested

    Kidnapping of ASUU Chairman’s Wife: Lecturer Arrested

    The police in Benue State have apprehended Dr. Tersagh Ichor, a lecturer at Joseph Saawuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), in connection with the kidnapping of Susan Anyagh, wife of the ASUU JOSTUM chapter chairman.

     The incident occurred on December 7 when Anyagh was abducted on Otukpo Road in Makurdi. 

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    She was taken by force from her vehicle and driven to an undisclosed location. During her captivity, her abductors received a phone call from Ichor, who allegedly ordered that she be killed.

     However, when they came across a police checkpoint, they abandoned the plan, moved to a secluded area, and assaulted her before abandoning her on the roadside, where she was found unconscious and later taken for medical treatment.

    Police investigations are ongoing, and Ichor has been detained while authorities work to gather further details.

  • Court Refuses Bail for Yahaya Bello in N110 Billion Case

    Court Refuses Bail for Yahaya Bello in N110 Billion Case

    …The EFCC counters his bail application, based on the argument that it was ill-timed and violated legal standards.

    The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has declined the bail request of Yahaya Bello, a former Kogi State governor, citing procedural lapses in the application process. 

    Justice Maryanne Anenih ruled that the application was submitted prematurely, as it was filed before Bello’s arraignment or his formal custody.

    Bello, charged alongside two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case involving alleged laundering of N110 billion, appeared in court after his November 26 arrest. 

    The bail request, submitted on November 22, predates his November 27 arraignment, rendering it invalid under procedural guidelines.

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    While Bello’s legal team argued for his release, claiming he posed no risk of absconding, the EFCC countered that the timing of the application violated legal standards.

    The court upheld the EFCC’s position, rejecting Bello’s bail.

    In contrast, the second defendant, Umar Oricha, was granted bail on stringent conditions, including a bond of N300 million and property guarantees in Abuja.

    Until these terms are met, Oricha will remain in custody.

  • EFCC Denies finding $800m and ₦700b in Bello El-Rufai’s Home  

    EFCC Denies finding $800m and ₦700b in Bello El-Rufai’s Home  

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged the public to disregard the claim that it uncovered a stock of cash in the kaduna home of Honorable Bello El Rufai.

    Describing it as “baseless and misleading”, the commision said it is totally untrue that its operatives found a stock of cash totalling $800million and N700billion.

    It also denies the claim of discovering drugs valued N1trillion at the Kaduna residence of Bello, the son of Malam Nasir El Rugai, the former governor of Kaduna state.

    In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, the commission labeled the reports as baseless and misleading.

    Bello El Rufai who is currently serving as a member of the House of Representatives has also dismissed the story as completely untrue.

    He clarified that he does not own any private residence in Kaduna aside from his family home in Unguwar Sarki, where he has lived since childhood.  

    He described the accusations as an intentional act to tarnish his image and spread confusion among the public. 

    It was claimed in the rumour that these discoveries were made during an operation in Kaduna State, sparking widespread public reactions.  

    The EFCC has urged citizens to disregard the false information.

  • UK Orders Deportation of Nigerian Pastor Linked to Financial Misconduct

    UK Orders Deportation of Nigerian Pastor Linked to Financial Misconduct

    Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega is set to be deported from the United Kingdom following allegations of fraud involving his church funds.

     The decision came after an immigration tribunal dismissed his appeal against deportation, citing his lack of legal residency since 2005.  

    His church, SPAC Nation, known for targeting young people in London, was shut down after authorities uncovered financial mismanagement exceeding £1.87 million.

     Despite Adegboyega’s claims that he played a pivotal role in uplifting vulnerable communities, the tribunal found his evidence exaggerated and inconsistent.  

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    Allegations against SPAC Nation included reports of coercion, where members were encouraged to take drastic measures like selling blood or committing fraud to fund the church.

     Adegboyega’s defence argued that his absence would harm community projects, but the court ruled otherwise, stating the initiatives could continue without him.  

    Adegboyega, a cousin of actor John Boyega, had also invoked his marriage to a British citizen and the European Convention on Human Rights to oppose deportation. 

    However, the tribunal concluded that his relationships and activities in the UK were established unlawfully, making the deportation both legal and justified.  

    This decision marks the end of a prolonged legal battle, reaffirming the UK Home Office’s stance on addressing immigration violations and financial misconduct.

  • Police Denies IGP Involvement in Alleged Money Smuggling Scheme

    Police Denies IGP Involvement in Alleged Money Smuggling Scheme

    Even though it failed to commence investigation on an incident that occurred over a year ago, the Nigeria Police Force denies protecting a cartel that is allegedly involved in smuggling money from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Pressured by the weight of public opinion, the police has rejected claims linking Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to the alleged cartel.

     According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reports suggesting that the IGP was protecting those responsible are false.

    The controversy stems from an incident at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 26, 2023.

     Four officers, including DSP Peter Ejike and Inspector Esther Okafor, allegedly extorted ₦43,160,000 from an individual, Andrew Ejah, who was transporting ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients.

     After unlawfully detaining Ejah, the officers claimed to have seized only ₦31,790,000 and sought a cut from the money in exchange for suppressing the case.

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    Following an investigation prompted by a complaint from the money’s owners, the officers were found guilty of corruption, misconduct, and tampering with evidence. 

    Adejobi emphasized that these officers, who had attempted to cover up their actions by spreading false claims, have been suspended and will face prosecution.

    What observers query in Mr. Adejobi’s explanation is why the NPF is yet to commence investigation on the incident that occurred over a year ago on August 26, 2023.

    The Police force has urged the public and media not to propagate misinformation aimed at damaging the reputation of the IGP and to instead focus on the ongoing efforts to address corruption within the force.