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Man Docked For Alleged Non-Declaration Of Foreign Currency At Lagos Airport

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

One Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly failing to declare foreign currency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The EFCC, in a statement released on Wednesday by its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, confirmed that Okechukwu was brought before the court on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, facing a two-count charge linked to money laundering.

“The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, arraigned one Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu for alleged non-declaration of the sums of £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) and $704 (Seven Hundred and Four United States Dollars) before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos,” the statement read.

READ ALSO: EFCC Issues Arrest Warrant For Socialite Aisha Achimugu

Investigations revealed that Okechukwu was apprehended by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers at the airport in December 2024, after he allegedly failed to declare the foreign currency in his possession.

The EFCC said the defendant was later handed over for further interrogation.

“The defendant was arrested in December 2024 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for non-declaration to the tune of £8,020 and $704 and was subsequently handed over to the EFCC for further investigations,” the commission added.

One of the charges read during the court session stated:
That you, Agudosi Christopher Okechukwu, on the 10th day of December, 2024 in Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, failed to make a declaration of the sum of £8,020 (Eight Thousand and Twenty Pounds Sterling) to the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 3(5) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”

Okechukwu pleaded guilty to the charges. Following his plea, EFCC’s counsel, C.C. Okezie, called on operative Abubakar Magaji to present the facts of the case before the court.

While testifying, Magaji narrated how the defendant was initially arrested with £8,020 and $704 and later handed over to the anti-graft agency for further action.

“The NCS handed over the defendant to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigation after he was arrested with the sum of £8,020 and $704,” Magaji told the court.

Magaji also informed the court that during questioning, Okechukwu admitted under caution that he had declared only £7,000 and omitted the £8,020 and $704.

“He further told the court that his statement was recorded under caution. He stated that he was arrested at the MMIA Airport with a total sum of £15,020 and $704.

“He also stated that he declared £7,000 and forgot to declare the sums of £8,020 and $704 on him.

“He said he did not make the declaration because he claimed to have suffered a loss and was going to bring back the corpse of his brother. He submitted the death certificate of his brother, his brother’s pictures and other documents,” Magaji added.

During the proceedings, Magaji identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement, and the recovered currencies. All items were tendered as evidence and admitted by the court.

“Thereafter, Magaji identified the defendant’s statement, the handing-over note from the NCS, the arresting officer’s statement as well as the sum of £8,020 and $704 to the EFCC,” the statement further read.

Justice Bogoro accepted the prosecution’s exhibits, which were marked P1 to P11.

“The prosecution counsel then sought to tender, in evidence, all the documents. Justice Bogoro admitted and marked them as exhibits P1-P11.”

The judge adjourned the matter till May 2, 2025, for judgment and ordered that the defendant be remanded at a Correctional Centre until then.

Crime

Kogi Polytechnic Suspends Seven Lecturers Amid Sex-for-Marks, Cultism Probe

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Four Kogi Poly Students Abducted In Ondo

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.

ALSO READ: Workers Suspend Strike at NUPRC

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.

 

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Crime

Alleged $789,950 Fraud: Court Slams ₦500m Bail on Former Warri Refinery MD

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

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.

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Crime

Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji Docked Over Alleged Certificate Forgery, Secures N20m Bail

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FG Invites ICPC Over Diversion Of N-power Funds Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

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.

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