Crime
Kidnapper Of Plateau Catholic Priests, Apprehended In Ogun
Christopher Yaro, who allegedly participated in the abduction of two Rev Fathers for ransom in Pankshin, Plateau State, on February 1, 2024 has been apprehended by the Ogun State Police Command.
This was revealed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, Omolola Odutola on Tuesday.
She said Yaro was nabbed by men of the Command on Monday in the Ago-Iwoye area of the state.
Recall that two Catholic priests, Father Kenneth Kanwa and Father Jude Nwachukwu, were abducted from St. Vincent de Paul Fier Parish in the Diocese of Pankshin in Plateau State.
In a stunning twist, the alleged abductors, who were later discovered to be members of the same parish, allegedly demanded N25m ransom from family and other church members to secure the priests’ freedom.
The abducted priests were released after a week in captivity, as confirmed by the chairman of the Plateau State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Polycarp Lubo.
He was mum on the payment of ransom for their release.
Odutola was cited by PUNCH Online on Tuesday, as explaining that Yaro was one of the suspects as well as a member of the church.
Yaro claimed that he fled Pankshin over fear that members of the community might attack him after they discovered that he was involved in the abduction of the two priests.
She said, “At about 4:25pm on Monday, we received intelligence that a kidnapping suspect, Christopher Yaro, had escaped to Ijebu-Ode after he was alleged to have conspired with another member of the church and five other men to kidnap the two Rev. Fathers in the Pankshin area of Plateau State.
“The suspects were with four K.2 rifles when they carried out the crime. Yaro has been arrested. Further information will be made available to the public as soon as the investigation is completed.”
Crime
Kogi Polytechnic Suspends Seven Lecturers Amid Sex-for-Marks, Cultism Probe
The management of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has suspended seven lecturers over allegations ranging from the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks to sexual harassment, as the institution investigates claims of sex-for-marks, cultism and other forms of misconduct.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Polytechnic’s spokesperson, John Onimisi.
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According to the statement, six lecturers were suspended on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, over the alleged unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks, while another lecturer was suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.
The suspensions come amid growing concerns over reports of sexual harassment, cult-related activities and other disciplinary issues within the institution.
Sources within the Polytechnic alleged that some lecturers demanded sexual favours or money from female students in exchange for passing grades, while cult activities had allegedly resurfaced on campus.
One source claimed that disciplinary measures introduced by the institution’s previous administration had weakened, emboldening erring staff and students.
The source further alleged that female students who reported incidents of sexual harassment received little institutional support and were instead subjected to intimidation.
There were also claims that cult groups had resumed nocturnal meetings on campus despite previous efforts to stamp out such activities.
Other allegations included the reintroduction of compulsory handout sales, a relaxation of the institution’s dress code and reduced enforcement of student identity cards, developments the source claimed had contributed to a decline in discipline across the campus.
Reacting to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s spokesperson, John Onimisi, said the institution’s management was aware of the claims and had already referred the matter to the disciplinary committee for investigation.
“The school management is aware of the allegations, and the disciplinary committee of the Polytechnic is already investigating them. The outcome will be made available to journalists in due course,” Onimisi said.
He assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken based on the committee’s findings.
Crime
Alleged $789,950 Fraud: Court Slams ₦500m Bail on Former Warri Refinery MD
A former Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited (WRPC), Jimoh Yisawu, has been granted bail in the sum of ₦500 million by the Federal High Court in Abuja after pleading not guilty to an eight-count charge of alleged money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yisawu was arraigned on Monday before Justice Inyang Ekwo in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/361/2026, over allegations that he violated the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
SEE MORE: EFCC Files Fraud Charges Against Ex-MDs of Warri, PH Refineries
According to the EFCC, the former refinery boss allegedly indirectly converted more than $789,950, said to be proceeds of unlawful activity, in contravention of Section 18(2)(b) of the Act and punishable under Section 18(3).
The anti-graft agency further alleged that Yisawu made cash payments exceeding $789,950 to one Samaila Bala without using any financial institution, contrary to Nigeria’s anti-money laundering laws.
The commission also accused him of making additional cash payments totalling $122,600 through one Rasheed Olaitan Yusuf, also without routing the transactions through a financial institution.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all eight counts when they were read to him in court.
Following his plea, defence counsel Wale Balogun (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail, noting that the EFCC had earlier released him on administrative bail after seizing his international passport.
Balogun appealed to the court to maintain the same bail conditions, arguing that his client needed to prepare adequately for his defence while out on bail.
However, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN) opposed the application, urging the court to consider the EFCC’s counter-affidavit challenging the defendant’s request for bail.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that the offences contained in the charge were bailable and ruled that Yisawu was entitled to bail.
Relying on Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the judge granted the former WRPC boss bail in the sum of ₦500 million, with one surety in like sum.
The court ordered that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian with landed property in Abuja and must provide proof of ownership of the property.
Justice Ekwo also directed Yisawu to surrender his international passport and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior approval from the court.
Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the judge ordered that the former refinery chief remain in the custody of the EFCC.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 25, 26 and 27, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Crime
Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Docked Over Alleged Certificate Forgery, Secures N20m Bail
Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has been granted bail in the sum of N20 million after pleading not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji was arraigned on Monday before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where the ICPC accused him of forging academic credentials, including a degree certificate allegedly issued by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).
The anti-corruption agency also alleged that the former minister presented a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
SEE ALSO: DSS Arraigns Five for Allegedly Hiding Wanted Ex-Gov Timipre Sylva
The defendant, who served in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Science and Technology from August 16, 2023, until his resignation on October 6, 2025, denied all the allegations after the charges were read before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik.
Following a bail application by his lead counsel, Chief James Onoja (SAN), the court admitted Nnaji to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the surety must be a civil servant resident in Abuja and not below Grade Level 15. The court further directed the surety to depose to an affidavit of means.
As part of the bail conditions, the former minister was ordered to surrender his international passport and barred from travelling outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until July 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s arraignment followed his arrest by security operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on July 1, shortly after returning to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ICPC had earlier confirmed that the arrest was carried out to facilitate investigations into the allegations against him.
The case is expected to proceed with the presentation of evidence when trial begins later this month.





