Crime
EFCC Appeals Acquittal Of Ex-Lagos Speaker In N338.8m Money Laundering Case
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lodged an appeal against the acquittal of Adeyemi Ikuforiji, former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, over charges of money laundering.
Alongside his former personal assistant, Oyebode Atoyebi, Ikuforiji had been facing a 54-count charge brought by the EFCC in March 2012, involving the alleged laundering of N338.8 million.
After a drawn-out legal process lasting more than a decade, both men were acquitted by the Federal High Court in Lagos on June 24, 2014.
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In his ruling, Justice Mohammed Liman stated that the EFCC failed to provide sufficient evidence to convict the defendants.
However, dissatisfied with the outcome, the EFCC filed an appeal on September 30, 2014, represented by counsel Godwin Obla, challenging the judgement.
The EFCC argued that the trial court had erred in dismissing the charges as invalid, asserting that the charges were brought under the repealed Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2004, which had since been replaced by the 2011 Act.
The commission further contended that both the 2004 and 2011 Acts applied to individuals, corporate bodies, and government entities, and claimed the lower court wrongly interpreted the law.
In November 2016, the Court of Appeal in Lagos sided with the EFCC, ordering a retrial of the case.
Ikuforiji and Atoyebi then took the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision.
However, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling, directing the case back to the Federal High Court for a fresh trial.
The case was subsequently reassigned to Justice Liman, who, after a retrial, again acquitted Ikuforiji and Atoyebi on June 24.
The EFCC had accused the two men of receiving cash payments in excess of the amount legally allowed by the Money Laundering Act, without involving any financial institution, and claimed that Ikuforiji had used his position to misappropriate Assembly funds.
The alleged offences, said to have been committed between April 2010 and July 2011, were said to violate several sections of both the 2004 and 2011 Money Laundering Acts.
Now, with the EFCC’s latest appeal, the legal battle over the charges of money laundering against Ikuforiji and Atoyebi appears set to continue.
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
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