Crime
Courtroom Drama As Detained Binance Executive Tigran Gambaryan Goes Missing
Mild drama ensued at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, as Tigran Gambaryan, an executive of Binance Holdings Limited, was unexpectedly absent from his scheduled trial in a case involving alleged money laundering charges.
The absence of Gambaryan, who is also Binance’s country representative, left the court in a state of confusion.
The trial, which had been adjourned to October 20 by Justice Emeka Nwite, was set to continue after an earlier court session on October 11.
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Binance Holdings Ltd and Gambaryan of involvement in money laundering activities.
However, when the case was called, all counsel were present in the courtroom except for Gambaryan.
Justice Nwite immediately sought clarification from Gambaryan’s lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, regarding his client’s absence.
Mordi, visibly surprised, informed the court that he had no prior knowledge of why Gambaryan had not been produced.
The EFCC’s lead counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, also expressed shock at Gambaryan’s absence, stating that he had expected the defendant to be present as he was in custody.
Tonye Krukrubo, SAN, counsel for Binance, echoed similar concerns and questioned the EFCC’s accountability. “He is in their custody. It is surprising they are unaware of his whereabouts,” Krukrubo remarked.
Justice Nwite then turned to an officer from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) present in court, who confirmed that Gambaryan had indeed been in their custody but could not explain his failure to appear.
Justice Nwite asked the officer to contact the head of Kuje Correctional Centre, where Gambaryan was being held, to provide answers regarding the executive’s absence.
After a brief adjournment to gather more information, the NCoS officer reported back to the court, revealing that Gambaryan had fallen seriously ill, which prevented his transfer to court for the hearing.
Following this development, Mordi requested the court to adjourn the matter to a later date, allowing time to assess Gambaryan’s health condition.
“We seek an adjournment to provide a status report on the 2nd defendant’s health and ensure he receives the necessary medical attention,” Mordi submitted.
The EFCC’s counsel, while ready to proceed with the trial, did not oppose the adjournment request, emphasizing that Gambaryan’s health must take priority.
Justice Nwite subsequently adjourned the case to October 25, 2024, pending an update on Gambaryan’s health and for the trial to continue thereafter.
Crime
Wife Dies in Ogun House Fire as Police Take 56-Year-Old Husband Into Custody
The Ogun State Police Command has taken a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, into custody in connection with a suspected arson incident that claimed the life of his 40-year-old wife, Igbagbo Erobe, in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The incident was reported at the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, October 18, 2026, following information that a house had been set ablaze, resulting in the woman’s death.
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The Ogun State Police Command disclosed the development in a press release issued on Sunday, stating that the husband was in custody in connection with the incident.
The deceased’s body has been deposited at a mortuary for post-mortem examination to establish further details surrounding her death.
The police also disclosed that the case was being processed for transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, assured the public that the matter would be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.
According to the statement, the commissioner assured the public that “the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law.”
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, stressing that allegations of serious crimes would receive appropriate investigative attention.
The command also called on members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that could assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations.
“The Command urges members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly and provide credible information that may assist crime prevention and ongoing investigations,” the statement read.
The circumstances surrounding the fire and the alleged involvement of the husband remain subject to investigation.
Crime
NDLEA Arrests 85-Year-Old Woman With 179kg of Cannabis in Edo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested an 85-year-old woman, Grace Ehimeka, after recovering 179 kilogrammes of skunk from her during anti-drug operations in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Ehimeka was among six suspects arrested during raids conducted by NDLEA operatives in the area as part of a series of nationwide operations targeting illicit drugs.
The operations in Edo State also led to the recovery of another 220.8 kilogrammes of skunk, alongside smaller quantities of cannabis and other controlled substances.
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The arrest was one of several recorded during the agency’s nationwide operations, which resulted in major drug seizures across multiple states.
In Lagos, the NDLEA seized 8,725 kilogrammes of tramadol hydrochloride powder worth over ₦6.98 billion at Apapa Port. The shipment, which originated from India, had been declared as maize starch.
The agency also intercepted cannabis concealed in palm oil at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. The consignment was allegedly intended for Saudi Arabia, while two suspects were arrested in connection with the case.
In Ondo State, operatives destroyed an estimated 7,500 kilogrammes of skunk cultivated on three hectares of farmland and arrested five suspects.
Other seizures were recorded in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory, including large quantities of tramadol, Exol-5 tablets and cannabis.
The operations formed part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs across the country.
Crime
Bandits Kill 70-Year-Old Man in Katsina, 27 Victims Rescued
A 70-year-old man, Alhaji Saleh Kasim, has been killed during a bandit attack on Gamji Village in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, while 27 abducted residents have been rescued by security forces.
The Katsina State Government disclosed this in a press release issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr Nasir Mu’azu.
According to the statement, about 40 armed bandits, led by a suspected gang leader identified as Kachalla Alhaji Bawa Kabir, invaded the community in the early hours of October 16, 2026.
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The attackers reportedly arrived on 20 motorcycles, abducted 27 residents, mostly women, children and elderly people, and rustled six cows.
The government said Kasim was shot dead during the attack.
Following credible intelligence, troops of the 17 Brigade, working with local hunters and the Community Watch Corps, moved to block the attackers’ escape routes towards the Madaci forest enclave.
At about 6 p.m. on the same day, the troops engaged the bandits at Tashar Bawa forest and successfully rescued all 27 abducted residents.
The rescued victims were subsequently taken to the Machika Military Forward Operating Base for medical attention.
The statement added that joint security teams had commenced clearance operations to flush out the remaining members of the gang and prevent possible reprisal attacks on the community.
The Katsina State Government, under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting residents across the state.
Mu’azu commended the troops and community-based security groups for their swift response to the incident.






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