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ICPC Summons el-Rufai’s Ex-Aide Over Fraud Allegations

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has summoned Jimi Lawal, a former aide to Nasir el-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna.

Lawal, who was a senior adviser and counselor on the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023, also served as el-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.

In a letter dated August 12, the ICPC scheduled Lawal’s interview for Wednesday, following his request to reschedule due to the nationwide protests.

Read Also: El-Rufai, Officials Under EFCC Probe For Alleged N423bn Fraud

The letter reads, “Pursuant to the provision of Section 28(1)(a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and your request to reschedule the interview to a later date due to the nationwide protest.

“Also, you are requested to come along with the following documents: i. Copy of appointment/engagement letter with Kaduna State Government from 2015-2023. ii. Details of all companies associated to you. iii. Statement of all bank accounts from 2015 to 2023 (soft and hard copies). iv. Schedules of all your investments to date. v. Any other relevant document(s).

However, in a statement released by his media officer, Austin Oniyokor, Lawal expressed that he is not afraid of the investigation.

The statement said, “On the 1st of August, 2024, Lawal missed a call from an unknown number. As a highly courteous and responsible citizen, when he called the line back, the person at the other end identified himself as an ICPC official and that he had an invitation letter dated 1st August, 2024, for him to appear at headquarters of the Commission the next day.”

“Recall that that was the week the #Endbadgovernanceprotest commenced. He (Lawal) drew the attention of the ICPC official to this notorious fact and asked for a rescheduling till after the protest; a request which the official consented to.

“On Monday, 12th August, 2024, Lawal on his own volition called the official to ask for the new date since the protest was over. The official said he would check their schedule and get back to him.

“At about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, the official sent the soft copy of the invitation dated 12th August, 2024, to him.

He also stated that reports claiming he has been placed on a watchlist are inaccurate.

“Tomorrow is Wednesday, 14th August, 2024. So, how can someone who got a letter of invitation at about midnight on Monday, 12th August, 2024, asking him to report on Wednesday, 14th August, 2024, be said to have absconded? Why watchlist someone who called you to ask for an appointment since he has nothing to hide?” the statement added.

“As a Senior Counsellor and Chairman, Kaduna State Economic Development Council, Lawal had no budget and authority to approve contracts.

“It is clear from the foregoing facts that this so-called investigation is malicious and politically-motivated. It is the reason orchestrated media reports are being churned out to smear Lawal’s image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the public even before he is heard.

“Otherwise, how does N144 million allegedly traced to his account from some private companies translate to N11 billion?

“So, all the noise about N11 billion light rail project is nothing but hot air. No matter how fast and far lies go, the truth will catch up with it. Our faith in the country and the judiciary remains unshaken. We sure will have our day at the appropriate time and fora.”

 

Crime

Wife Dies in Ogun House Fire as Police Take 56-Year-Old Husband Into Custody

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Man Arrested For Burglary In Ogun Churches

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.

SEE ALSO: Tinubu vs Obi: Omokri Fires Back at Peter Okoye Over Call to Retire Older Politicians

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.

 

 

 

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NDLEA Arrests 85-Year-Old Woman With 179kg of Cannabis in Edo

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Edo Cult Clash Leave 10 Dead In Three Days

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.

ALSO READ: Edo Police Probe Officer Seen Firing Rifle During Clash With Traffic Officials

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.

 

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Crime

Bandits Kill 70-Year-Old Man in Katsina, 27 Victims Rescued

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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.

SEE ALSO: Two Suspected Bandits in Police Net in Katsina

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.

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