Crime
Ex-Kwara Gov, Finance Commissioner On Trial For Diverting N5.78bn Education Fund
The Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, on Wednesday, commenced the trial of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu.
The duo are accused of conspiring to misappropriate public funds totaling N5.78 billion during Ahmed’s tenure.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Ilorin Zonal Directorate, charged the defendants with diverting funds earmarked for teachers’ salaries under the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC), as well as funds meant for critical infrastructure and security projects in the state.
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Both Ahmed and Banu, who were arraigned on October 21, 2024, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
At the resumed hearing, the EFCC’s first witness, Abubakar Hassan, an assistant director of finance at UBEC, provided testimony implicating the defendants.
Hassan alleged that approximately N5 billion allocated to Kwara State for educational infrastructure projects between 2013 and 2015 was misappropriated.
Testifying under the guidance of EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Hassan stated, “The Matching Grant Funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission are intended to provide specific infrastructural facilities for primary and junior secondary school students.
“These facilities include the construction of school buildings, provision of laboratories, construction of toilets, and the provision of water, sanitation, and cultural education infrastructure.”
Hassan added that UBEC’s mission is to ensure no Nigerian child is denied basic education, which spans primary to junior secondary school.
Explaining the process for accessing UBEC grants, he said,“UBEC law provides that the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, its Executive Secretary, and the Director of Finance are signatories to Matching Grants Accounts. The Matching Grants Account is opened with any commercial bank or the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
He further explained that the state must submit and defend an action plan before receiving the grants.
Hassan testified that Kwara State received N2 billion in 2013, N876 million in 2014, and N982 million in 2015 as matching grants. However, he alleged the 2013 funds were diverted despite the commencement of project implementation.
“Contractors were mobilized to work on-site, but during our project monitoring exercise, we discovered that the monies meant for the 2013 project had been diverted by the Kwara SUBEB. About N2 billion was diverted,” he told the court.
Hassan revealed that UBEC had sent a report to the Kwara SUBEB recommending corrective actions, but no response was received.
Consequently, the EFCC intervened, writing to banks to return the unused 2014 and 2015 funds. He further disclosed that UBEC halted activities in Kwara State from 2016 to 2018 due to the state’s failure to address the diverted funds.
Justice Abdulgafar adjourned the case to February 17, 2025, for further hearing.
In a statement, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale described the witness testimony as pivotal in uncovering the alleged misuse of public funds.
Crime
Navy Uncovers 132,000 Litres of Stolen Crude Oil in Bonny
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.
He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
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The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.
“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.
Crime
Delta Police Arrest School Bus Driver Over Alleged Kidnap, Rape of 14-Year-Old Student
The Delta State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old school bus driver, Onome Lucky Ughagha, over the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student in Sapele, after reportedly collecting ₦503,000 in ransom from the victim’s father.
The suspect was arrested on October 23, 2026, following investigations into the incident, which was reported to the Sapele Area Command on October 20 by the victim’s father.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Command, SP Bright Edafe, and dated October 25, 2026.
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According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect abducted his daughter while she was preparing to leave for school. The suspect reportedly contacted him afterward, demanded ₦503,000 and threatened to kill the minor if the ransom was not paid.
After the payment was made, the victim was allegedly abandoned along Oton Road in Sapele, where she was reunited with her family in a traumatised condition, with indications of sexual assault.
Following the report, operatives of the Sapele Area Command commenced investigations, while the victim was taken to a medical facility for examination and treatment.
The police also invited the school’s principal and vice principal for questioning as investigations continued.
The suspect reportedly abandoned the school bus and fled after the incident. However, acting on credible intelligence, police operatives traced him to his hideout in the Ajimele area of Sapele, where he was arrested on October 23.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to his involvement in the crime, according to the police.
The command said arrangements were underway to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Asaba for further investigation.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Samuel E. Erale, condemned the alleged crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children from violence and exploitation.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to “protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation.”
He also assured the public that “investigations will be thorough and that anyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”
Erale further called on school authorities, parents and transport operators to exercise greater vigilance in safeguarding children, stressing that “the safety of every child entrusted to their care must remain paramount.”
Crime
Two Suspected Political Thugs Killed After Attacking NDC Candidate’s Convoy in Ebonyi
Two suspected political thugs have reportedly died following an attack on the convoy of Rollins Offia Nwali, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon when Nwali’s motorcade was returning from Amazekewe community, according to a report published by SaharaReporters on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Security sources told the publication that the attackers allegedly opened fire on the candidate’s convoy, prompting security personnel attached to him to return fire after ensuring the safety of Nwali and his team.
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One of the suspected attackers reportedly died at the scene, while the second was said to have died later in hospital. One of the deceased was identified as Jude Nwamgbada.
The attackers were alleged to have been armed with AK-47 rifles and pump-action guns.
However, the identities and political affiliations of the attackers could not be independently verified as of the time of the report.
NDC Candidate Confirms Attack, Says Hilux Was Burnt
Nwali confirmed the incident in a statement shared on his Facebook page, disclosing that his Toyota Hilux was set ablaze during the attack.
He expressed gratitude to security agencies for ensuring the safety of everyone in his convoy.
“My motorcade was attacked today by armed hoodlums who opened fire on our vehicles while we were returning from Amazekewe. My Toyota Hilux was set ablaze and completely burnt in the attack,” he said.
“Thankfully, we are all safe, and I sincerely appreciate the professionalism and gallantry of the security agencies who ensured our safety.”
The NDC candidate also acknowledged reports of casualties among the attackers, expressing sympathy for those affected and their families.
“I have also been informed that there were casualties among those who carried out the attack. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to those affected and their families. Regardless of the circumstances, the loss of human life is deeply regrettable,” he added.
Nwali Warns Youths Against Political Violence
Following the incident, Nwali appealed to young people not to allow themselves to be used by politicians seeking power at the expense of their lives.
He urged youths to consider the consequences of participating in political violence, stressing that no political ambition justified the loss of human life.
“No political ambition is worth the life of any young person, and no young person should have to lose their life in pursuit of another person’s political ambition,” he said.
The candidate further insisted that the attack would not deter him from pursuing his political ambition and serving the people of Ezza South.
“As for us, we are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to serve our people, and I assure you that no amount of intimidation or violence will deter us from this course,” he added.
Attack Comes Amid Reported Political Violence in South-East
The incident comes amid a series of reported attacks involving members and supporters of the NDC in the South-East, particularly in neighbouring Enugu State.
On October 10, suspected political thugs reportedly attacked NDC supporters at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Emene, Enugu, as they gathered to welcome the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.
Video footage of the incident reportedly showed supporters fleeing amid sporadic gunfire, while a suspected attacker was seen assaulting an NDC supporter with a plank.
Amnesty International subsequently condemned the attack, describing it as part of a troubling pattern of violence targeting opposition members.
Another incident occurred at the NDC secretariat in the Government Reserved Area of Enugu, where armed men allegedly opened fire during preparations for the party’s campaign flag-off.
The shooting reportedly left a man who was repairing a vehicle with a gunshot injury and damaged five parked cars.
Nworie Christopher, an NDC member from Affa in Udi Local Government Area, later died from injuries sustained during the attack on the party’s campaign office.
The Enugu State Police Command reportedly ordered an investigation into the shooting, while Governor Peter Mbah pledged to prosecute those responsible for the airport and secretariat attacks.
The NDC has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating intimidation against its members. However, the alleged APC affiliation of those involved in the Ebonyi incident has not been independently verified.
The party has also called for an independent investigation into previous attacks on its members in Enugu State.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the Ebonyi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as its spokesperson, SP Joshua Ukandu, reportedly did not answer calls or respond to a message seeking his reaction to the incident.





