Crime
Court Approves Secret Trial On Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack
The legal proceedings in respect of the terrorist attack on a Kaduna bound train from Abuja in March 2022 would be held in private, the court has ruled.
This follows the application of the Federal Government at the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja, which the court granted on Wednesday.
Biztellers reports that the request is to protect the identities of those lined up adduce evidence against an alleged terrorist collaborator, Tukur Mamu.
Recall that the Kaduna-based cleric and publisher had been arraigned in connection with the terror attack on the train, which led to the death of at least eight persons, while several others were released upon ransom.
Manu is facing a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism financing.
He was accused of receiving ransom payments in the sum of $120,000 on behalf of the Boko Haram terrorists from families of hostages of the train attack.
Mamu was also accused of exchanging voice-note communications in relation to acts of terrorism with one Baba Adamu (a Boko Haram spokesperson).
Furthermore, he was accused of dealing in terrorist funds in the sum of $300,000, which were allegedly found in his possession.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), D.E. Kaswe, on Wednesday, tabled an ex parte application before Justice Inyang Ekwo for an order to protect the identity of the prosecution witnesses.
According to the motion the FG prayed for “an order of this honourable court shielding the physical identity of the prosecution witnesses by wearing facial masks and/or the use of screen whenever prosecution witnesses are testifying.”
The prosecution also prayed the court to direct the use of pseudonym by prosecution witnesses “and deleting the real names and addresses of prosecution witnesses throughout the proceedings of this case.”
The government’s lawyer also prayed for an order “excluding persons other than parties and their legal representatives at the hearing of the above-named charge except for members of the accredited press.”
Justice Ekwo granted the prayers of the prosecution.
It was gathered that when the matter was called, Mamu, who was the sole defendant in the charge, was not in court, but Kaswe informed the court that Mamu was on his way with the security operatives.
“I urge this honourable court to stand down this matter as they are still on their way coming,” he prayed.
However, in turning down the prayer, the judge asked, “Do you think this is a stand-down court? That application is refused.”
The case was adjourned till July 21 for the commencement of trial.
Operatives of the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Basil Iwoba Ochili, Managing Director of Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, over alleged fraudulent activities involving N128 million.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X account on Wednesday.
According to the commission, Ochili was arrested for allegedly using his company for fraudulent activities, including “obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N128,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-eight Million Naira).”
SEE ALSO: EFCC Warns Lawyers Against Charging Clients in Foreign Currencies
The EFCC said Ochili was arrested based on a claim by a petitioner who alleged that sometime in September 2022, the suspect falsely presented himself as the owner of five plots of land situated beside Anambra State Secretariat by Stamford Hotel, Aroma Junction, Awka, Anambra State, and falsely offered the property for sale.
“Relying on the suspect’s representation, the petitioner purchased the said plots in the sum of N128,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Twenty-Eight Million Naira), which was paid into the suspect’s company account,” the EFCC said.
However, the commission said the petitioner was unable to take possession of the land.
Preliminary investigations, according to the EFCC, showed that the suspect knew that the land “encroached on Anambra State Government Secretariat’s land” but allegedly went ahead to sell it to the petitioner.
The commission further said that instead of refunding the petitioner’s money, Ochili “offered him two dud cheques.”
“Further preliminary investigations showed that the suspect used part of the money to settle his debts,” the EFCC said.
The commission also stated that Ochili’s company, Debasilio Construction and Estate Development Limited, “has never been tax compliant.”
The EFCC said the suspect will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
“The suspect will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” the commission stated.
The Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has sentenced nine convicted crude oil thieves to 10 years in prison without an option of fine following a joint intelligence-led operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Navy (NN).
The convicts were among 19 suspects arrested earlier this year after security operatives caught them allegedly stealing crude oil from an oil well head identified as Asabo-D in Ibeno Local Council of the state.
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Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Joy Ikpeme found the nine men guilty on a two-count charge of conspiracy and tampering with an oil pipeline, contrary to Section 1(7) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
The judge sentenced each of them to five years’ imprisonment on the first count and 10 years on the second count, with no option of fine. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The remaining 10 suspects arrested during the operation are expected to face further legal proceedings.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the DSS in collaboration with the NN as part of efforts to disrupt crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities in the oil-producing communities of Akwa Ibom.
The conviction was described by a security source as another significant step in the sustained campaign against oil theft, particularly along Nigeria’s maritime and riverine areas.
According to the source, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering have continued to deprive the country of vital oil revenue while inflicting serious environmental damage on host communities.
The source said the latest conviction underscored the determination of security agencies to ensure that those involved in the theft of the nation’s crude resources are brought to justice.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on legal practitioners in the country to desist from the illegal and unethical practice of charging clients in foreign currencies.
The Commission disclosed this in a post on its official X account on Monday.
SEE ALSO: Expose Stolen Nigerian Assets Abroad, Get Up to 5% Reward — EFCC
The call was made on Friday, September 11, 2026, in Lagos by the Acting Zonal Director of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, ACE I Bawa Usman Kaltungo, when he received a delegation of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, led by its Head, Moshood Abiola.
Speaking during the interactive session, Kaltungo expressed concern over the activities of lawyers who engage in “illegal and unethical practices,” stressing that the Commission would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable.
He also urged legal practitioners to desist from charging their clients in foreign currencies, warning that such practice could attract regulatory action.
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