Crime
Ex-Malaysian PM Najib Razak Found Guilty of Corruption, Money Laundering
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been found guilty on multiple counts of corruption and money laundering in one of the country’s most high-profile graft cases, involving billions of ringgit from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) fund.
Justice Collin Lawrence Sequerah, presiding at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, convicted the 72-year-old politician on four counts of abuse of power and 21 counts of money laundering, linked to approximately 2.28 billion ringgit ($554 million) allegedly siphoned from 1MDB into Najib’s personal accounts.
The verdict marks a further blow to Najib, who is already serving a six-year prison sentence in a separate 1MDB-related case.
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Sentencing is expected later today and could significantly extend his time behind bars.
Abuse of Power and Money Laundering
Prosecutors told the court that Najib used his positions as prime minister, finance minister, and 1MDB advisory board chairman to direct funds from the state investment vehicle into personal accounts, a scheme allegedly facilitated by fugitive financier Low Taek Jho, also known as Jho Low.
Evidence presented included bank records, documents, and testimony from over 50 witnesses.
Justice Sequerah dismissed defence claims that Najib was misled by associates, describing them as “unmeritorious” and noting that Najib had ultimate control over 1MDB’s operations.
The diverted funds were reportedly spent on luxury properties, a superyacht, and expensive artworks, fueling an international investigation spanning Singapore, the United States, and other countries.
Public Outrage and Political Fallout
Najib, the son of one of Malaysia’s founding fathers, rose to political prominence early in life but faced a dramatic fall after losing the 2018 general election, amid public anger over the 1MDB scandal.
Both he and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, have faced multiple graft allegations since then.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Akram Gharib said in court that Najib attempted to portray himself as a victim of rogue subordinates. “The accused wielded absolute financial, executive and political control,” he stated.
Najib has consistently denied wrongdoing, insisting he was unaware of illegal transfers from the fund, though he has apologised for allowing the scandal to occur during his tenure.
His legal battle suffered another setback this week when the court rejected his request to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.
Each count of abuse of power carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to five times the amount involved, signaling potentially many more years behind bars for the former leader.
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.





