As part of efforts to ensure integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), dismissed 27 officers from its workforce in 2024.

This was disclosed in a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Monday evening.

According to its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct.

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Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated, including a trending $400,000 claim of a yet-to-be-identified supposed staff of the EFCC against a Sectional Head. The core values of the Commission are sacrosanct and would always be held in optimal regard at all times.

The Commission also wishes to alert the public of the sinister activities of impersonators and blackmailers using the name of its Executive Chairman to extort money from high-profile suspects being investigated by the EFCC.

Two members of an alleged syndicate, Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashim were recently arraigned before Justice Jude Onwuebuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja for allegedly contacting a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Kaka and demanding $1million from him for “Olukoyede to give him soft landing” on a non-existing investigation.

The anti graft Agency cautioned that such characters were still on the loose seeking victims.

Olukoyede remains a man of integrity that cannot be swayed by monetary influences. The public is enjoined to always report such disreputable elements to the Commission.

Additionally, the EFCC is aware of moves being hatched in some quarters to blackmail officers of the Commission through unwholesome means.

Suspects being investigated for some economic and financial crimes who have failed to compromise their investigators would always clutch at any straw. Such blackmailers should not be accorded any form of attention.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed January 13, 2025, to hear a N300 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by singer Darlington Achakpo, better known as Speed Darlington, against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The court set the date after Speed Darlington’s counsel, Abubakar Marshal, requested an adjournment to allow the police lawyer, Garba Audu, time to review and respond to the documents served on him in court.

Justice Musa Liman granted the request, noting the I-G’s lawyer had yet to receive the full process.

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The case stems from a previous ruling on December 23, 2024, in which Justice Liman ordered the I-G to either charge Speed Darlington to court or release him on bail unconditionally within 48 hours.

However, according to the singer’s lawyer, the police have failed to comply, and Speed Darlington remains in detention.

Speed Darlington, 39, was first arrested on October 4, 2024, over allegations of defaming Afrobeat artist Damini Ogulu, better known as Burna Boy, through cyberstalking.

He was granted bail on October 8, but later rearrested on November 27 for allegedly violating the terms of his administrative bail.

Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju reported that Speed Darlington was detained in Abuja following a petition from Burna Boy.

The singer’s legal team argues that his detention has been unlawful, citing mistreatment during his time in custody.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Marshal informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the originating motion for enforcement of the singer’s fundamental rights.

Audu, however, stated he had not been served with the application, though the court confirmed that proof of service was on record.

Justice Liman asked if the singer had been released, to which Marshal responded negatively. Audu then clarified that the police had already filed criminal charges against Speed Darlington, which were scheduled for hearing before Justice Ekerete Akpan on January 15, 2025.

He also argued that the police had not flouted the court’s earlier order, citing difficulties in proceeding with the matter due to the Christmas holiday.

Marshal countered by requesting the court to direct the police to release Speed Darlington on bail pending his arraignment.

“We shall be applying pending the trial and arraignment of the applicant that your lordship make an order admitting him to bail,” Marshal said. However, Audu opposed the application.

Justice Liman advised the police lawyer to ensure Speed Darlington’s release, expressing that there was no harm in granting bail. “I don’t see anything the police will lose if granted bail,” the judge remarked.

The singer’s fundamental rights suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1832/2024, seeks a declaration that his arrest and detention violated his constitutional rights.

He is asking for: “An order for his immediate and unconditional release or to be produced in court to face charges.

“N300 million in damages for his unlawful detention, mistreatment, and the ongoing violation of his rights.

In a supporting affidavit, Speed Darlington’s legal team claimed he was detained for five days without being formally charged and subjected to harsh conditions.

The affidavit also noted that the singer had been re-arrested despite informing the police of a medical emergency and obtaining permission to travel for a performance.

The matter will continue on January 13, 2025, as the court considers the singer’s suit.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has launched a series of successful operations across Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of prominent individuals and the seizure of significant quantities of illicit drugs.

Among the key arrests are a Lagos socialite, a filmmaker, and university students involved in drug-related activities.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives arrested a 61-year-old socialite, Alhaja Aishat Feyisara Ajoke Elediye, on New Year’s Day at her mansion in Okota.

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The arrest followed the interception of a truck allegedly transporting a drug consignment linked to her.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, a white Izuzu truck carrying 44 jumbo sacks containing 1,540 kilograms of imported cannabis was intercepted on January 1.

The truck was driven by Abideen Adio, a staff member of Elediye.

“On the surface, Alhaja Ajoke is a businesswoman who imports fabrics and shoes from China, but beneath is a massive illicit drug trade. She is also recognized as the Iyalaje of Blessing Sisters, an influential club of society women in Lagos,” Babafemi said.

Alhaja Ajoke, known in the drug underworld as “Iya Ruka,” has been on the NDLEA’s wanted list for years due to her alleged leadership of a drug cartel operating out of Mushin, Lagos.

In another high-profile case, NDLEA operatives arrested US-trained filmmaker and motivational speaker Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe at a hotel in Lekki, Lagos.

His arrest followed the apprehension of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, earlier on December 27, 2024, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja.

James was reportedly sent by Mbadiwe to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 17.30 kilograms.

The consignment, concealed in wooden boxes, had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, from the United States on December 24, 2024, aboard a Delta Airlines flight.

In Ilorin, Kwara State, NDLEA operatives arrested two young women—24-year-old Khadijat Abdulraheem, a fresh graduate, and 20-year-old Ayomide Morakinyo, a University of Ilorin student.

The suspects were reportedly producing and selling drug-laced cupcakes to students.

During a search of their residence on December 29, 2024, operatives recovered 42 pieces of the drugged cupcakes.

Sodade Sunday Eniola, an ex-convict previously sentenced to four years in prison for drug trafficking, was arrested again for passport racketeering.

NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport intercepted 52 passports concealed in shoe soles and food items destined for Canada, Russia, and other countries.

Further investigations led to the arrest of three other suspects—Ayinde Saheed Awwal, Salaudeen Afeez Ayode, and Sheriff Adebayo Bamigbade.

The suspects and exhibits were handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service for further investigation.

In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NDLEA officers seized 316,800 bottles of codeine-based syrup from two containers during a joint operation with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies on December 31, 2024.

In Kano, operatives raided a drug den in Dala Local Government Area, recovering 149,090 pills of tramadol and exol-5 on the same day.

The NDLEA also intensified its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, conducting sensitization programs in markets, worship centers, and schools across the country.

NDLEA Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the agency’s officers for their dedication to combating drug trafficking and abuse.

“Their operational successes and those of their compatriots across the country, especially their balanced approach to drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts, are well appreciated,” Marwa stated.