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EFCC Recovers N32.7bn, $445,000 From Humanitarian Ministry

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has noticed the rising tide of commentaries, opinions, assumptions and insinuations concerning its progressive investigations into the alleged financial misappropriation in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

At the outset of investigations, past and suspended officials of the Humanitarian Ministry were invited by the Commission and investigations into the alleged fraud involving them have yielded the recovery of N32.7billion and $445,000 so far.

Discreet investigations by the EFCC have opened other fraudulent dealings involving Covid -19 funds, the World Bank loan, Abacha recovered loot released to the Ministry by the Federal Government to execute its poverty alleviation mandate. Investigations have also linked several interdicted and suspended officials of the Ministry to the alleged financial malfeasance.

It is instructive to stress that the Commission’s investigations are not about individuals.

The EFCC is investigating a system and intricate web of fraudulent practices. Banks involved in the alleged fraud are being investigated. Managing Directors of the indicted banks have made useful statements to investigators digging into the infractions.

Those found wanting will be prosecuted accordingly. Additionally, the EFCC has not cleared anyone allegedly involved in the fraud. Investigations are ongoing and advancing steadily. The public is enjoined to ignore any claim to the contrary.

On the issue of the works of the Commission against Naira abuse, dollarization of the economy and the enforcement of all extant laws relating to them, the EFCC appreciates the avalanche of public awakening, support and involvement demonstrated so far. Increasingly, members of the public are drawing the attention of the Commission to video recording of abuse of the Naira by Nigerians from all walks of life. These gestures amply demonstrate rising consciousness of the public to the sanctity of our national currency and the need for collaborative engagement to sustain the tempo.

To this end, the Commission will always investigate and prosecute anyone involved in the abuse of the Naira. Old videos being exhumed and flying around for the attention of the Commission are noted as the Commission is sensitive to the fact that its Special Task Force against Naira Abuse and Dollarization of the economy commenced operations on February 7, 2024. However, going forward, new videos of such infractions will be investigated and prosecuted.

At the moment, the Commission is investigating several celebrities involved in Naira abuse. Many of them have made useful statements to the Commission and many more have been invited by investigators working on the matter.

The EFCC will not relent in its no-sacred-cow mode of operations and the public should be wary of running afoul of laws against the crime.

Crime

Adeleke Condemns Ilesa High Court Burning, Orders Investigation

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Osun Agog As Ademola Adeleke Takes Over As Governor

 

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has condemned the burning of Ilesa High Court 2 building by yet to be identified criminals, describing the arson as “an unjustifiable attack on the state judiciary”.

The incident which happened overnight led to the destruction of court sensitive documents and exhibits with the entire building largely burnt to the ground.

It was gathered that the state fire service was mobilised to the scene but the havoc was already over by the time of their arrival. There are indications that files relating to sensitive court cases were destroyed.

ALSO READ: Okpebholo Accounts For Stewardship To Kinsmen

Gov Adeleke in the statement directed thorough investigation into the incident as well as beefing up security across all court premises in the state.

He stated, “Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions. I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.

“Additionally, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the burnt down building.”

Gov Adeleke described the attack as a threat to democracy and noted that the judiciary remains the stabilizer and critical arbiter of the democratic process, urging support rather than attack for the judiciary.

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Crime

Four Children Vanish Days After Women Move Into New Apartment In Delta

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Fear and anxiety have spread across the Ogwashi-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State following the abduction of four children by suspected child traffickers.

The incident occurred on Sunday in the Umuokwe quarters, where two of the victims — identified as siblings, Ebube and Miracle — were reportedly taken by three unidentified women.

The women had only recently moved into the area after securing emergency accommodation.

READ MORE: Edo Prescribes Death By Hanging For Kidnappers

Community sources said the suspects lured the children from their homes under the pretense of buying them biscuits from a nearby shop.

“It was when the children could not be seen around the compound that neighbours expressed concern,” a resident said.

“By the time the neighbours visited the ladies’ apartment, the room was empty as neither the occupants nor the children could be found.”

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer for Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, said the landlady who rented out the room to the suspects has been arrested and is currently in custody.

“The children were abducted three days after the women rented the apartment,” Edafe stated.

“It is true; the problem is that there is no link. They just came and said they wanted to rent an apartment and the landlady gave it to them with no details, no name, no phone number, no agreement, and after three days they carried four children. The landlady has been arrested because her actions are suspicious.”

Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the suspects, while the community remains on alert as the search for the missing children continues.

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Alleged Murder: Police Confirm Arrest, Extradition Of ‘Killaboi’ After Months-Long Hunt

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Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, popularly known as ‘Killaboi,’ has been extradited to Nigeria from Doha, Qatar, to face trial for the alleged murder of 21-year-old university student Augusta Onuwabhagbe.

The Nigeria Police confirmed his arrival in the country in the early hours of Saturday, following months of international manhunt and collaborative efforts involving INTERPOL, the Federal Ministry of Justice, Qatari authorities, and the Nigerian Police.

Nnayereugo, who had been declared wanted in October 2023, was accused of killing Onuwabhagbe—a first-class student of Lead City University, Ibadan—on July 13, 2023, at his residence in Ajah, Lagos.

READ MORE: Wanted Instagram Influencer Killaboi Arrested In Sierra Leone

“The Nigeria Police Force has successfully completed the extradition of Benjamin Best Nnayereugo, male, widely known as ‘Killaboi,’ from Doha, Qatar to Nigeria,” a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, read.

The extradition was initiated following a petition from the family of the deceased on September 29, 2024, which triggered INTERPOL NCB Abuja’s involvement.

After the murder, the suspect fled the country and released a video online purporting to confess to the crime — a move police described as “a deceptive strategy to derail investigative efforts.”

Following his declaration as wanted by the Lagos State Police Command, an INTERPOL Red Notice was issued.

He was eventually arrested in Sierra Leone under the alias “Kanu Princeton Samuel” on October 20, 2023, but escaped custody in a prison break the following month.

Authorities tracked the fugitive’s movements across West Africa, East Asia, and the Middle East before he resurfaced in Doha on January 24, 2025, living under the false name “Toure Abdoulaye” with a fake Guinean passport.

In February, Qatari authorities arrested him after advanced biometric verification confirmed his identity. The Nigerian government’s extradition request was later approved.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, praised the international cooperation that led to Nnayereugo’s return.

“The synergy amongst nations is vital to curb trans-border crimes,” the IGP said, while assuring Nigerians that the fugitive will face diligent prosecution.

Nnayereugo’s case had earlier drawn widespread attention, with the Lagos State Police issuing a public alert for information on his whereabouts.

At the time, the police described him as a 26-year-old, 5’9″ tall, dark-complexioned man from Abia State who spoke English, Igbo, and Pidgin English fluently.

The Nigeria Police have reiterated their commitment to justice, assuring the public that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure accountability.

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