Crime
EFCC To Arraign Honeywell Chairman, Ex-First Bank MD, Others Over Alleged N12.3bn Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 13-count criminal charge against the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Chief Oba Otudeko, and the former Managing Director of First Bank, Olabisi Onasanya.
The charges involve allegations of obtaining N12.3 billion from First Bank under false pretenses.
The case also names Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd., a company linked to Otudeko, as co-defendants.
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The arraignment of all four defendants is scheduled for Monday, January 20, 2025, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Details of Alleged Fraud
According to the EFCC, the alleged fraud occurred between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos.
The Commission claims the defendants conspired to obtain the sum in tranches of N5.2 billion, N6.2 billion, N6.15 billion, N1.5 billion, and N500 million.
The funds were allegedly obtained under the guise of credit facilities for V-Tech Dynamics Links Ltd. and Stallion Nigeria Ltd., representations the EFCC says the defendants knew to be false.
Count 1 of the charge states:
“Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited, between 2013 and 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N12,300,000,000.00 (Twelve Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira Only) from First Bank Limited on the pretence that the said sum represented credit facilities applied for by V-Tech Dynamic Links Limited and Stallion Nigeria Limited, which representation you know to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Additional Counts
The charges include: Allegations that the defendants obtained N5.2 billion on November 26, 2013, under false pretenses.
Allegations that N6.2 billion was fraudulently obtained in the same period for Stallion Nigeria Ltd.
Conspiracy to launder N6.15 billion, an amount the EFCC claims the defendants reasonably ought to have known was derived from unlawful activities.
Count 5 further alleges:
“That you, Chief Oba Otudeko, Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, Soji Akintayo and Anchorage Leisure Limited, on or about the 11th day of December, 2013, in Lagos, procured Honeywell Flour Mills Plc to retain the sum of N1.5 billion, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of your unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by False Pretence and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c), 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Witnesses and Evidence
In support of its case, the EFCC has listed several witnesses, including representatives of First Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, Stallion Nigeria Ltd., and V-Tech Dynamics Ltd.
Named witnesses include Cecelia Majekodunmi, Ola Michael Aderogba, Abiodun Olatunji, Raymond Eze, Abiodun Odunbola, and Adeeyo David.
The EFCC’s list of witnesses also includes Farida Abubakar and Adaeze Nwakoby. The Commission intends to tender documentary evidence and call witnesses to testify about the alleged fraudulent misrepresentation by the defendants.
The EFCC stated that the offences contravene Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. Other charges are linked to violations of Sections 18(a) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).
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.





