Crime
Oil Tycoon, Akintoye Akindele Remanded For $5.6m Fraud
Mr. Akintoye Akindele, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Duport Midstream Company Limited, found himself at the center of a legal storm on Friday, as he was ordered to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre over alleged involvement in a $5.6 million fraud case.
In a brief ruling, Justice James Omotosho directed Akindele to be remanded in the correctional centre until the completion of his bail process.
The court set the next hearing for March 20, during which it will review the documents confirming the bail previously granted to him.
According to the charge brought forth by the police, Akindele and Duport Midstream Company Limited are accused of diverting $5,636,397.01 and N73,543,763.25 belonging to Summit Oil International Ltd.
Between 2017 and 2021, Akindele and his company, the second defendant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/570/2023, purportedly diverted funds received from Shell Western Supply and Trading Limited for their personal benefit.
On March 1, Justice Omotosho granted Akindele bail amounting to N750 million, insisting on two sureties who could meet the same financial threshold.
Justice Omotosho, stipulating stringent conditions for bail, mandated that the two sureties must possess landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, swear to an affidavit of means, and deposit their bank account statements with the court registrar.
Granting bail, Justice Omotosho emphasized that the defendant must fulfill all conditions by March 8.
Acknowledging the defendant’s previous bail from the FCT High Court, Justice Omotosho allowed him to maintain that bail until March 8.
However, he maintained that the defendant would be remanded if he failed to meet the conditions of the new bail by March 8.
Following the bail proceedings, Justice Omotosho adjourned the case until March 15 for the trial to commence. This decision came after Akindele was arraigned on a four-count charge by the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police.
During the subsequent hearing on Friday, the I-G’s lawyer, Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, informed the court that although the trial was scheduled to begin and three witnesses were present, he made an oral application to transfer the case to the Federal High Court in Lagos.
In response, Akindele’s lawyer, Chief James Onoja, SAN, opposed Lough’s oral application, stating his intention to provide a response to the request.
Justice Omotosho also intervened to correct the prosecutor regarding his oral application.
He said “Transfer is just not by oral application. There should be a motion on notice.
“There must be reasons for transfer and it must be by affidavit evidence and you will serve the other party for them to respond.
“If they agree with your reasons, that is that. But if they don’t agree, they have the right to say why it should not be taken to Lagos.”
Lough, however, contended that Section 22 of the FHC Act permitted a judge to transfer a case to a division with jurisdiction, even without a formal request.
Justice Omotosho clarified that while the court had the authority for such transfers, it typically occurred after hearing from all parties involved.
he added “It is not without the evidence of the other party,”
Onoja reiterated that during the previous hearing, the court clearly outlined that the trial would proceed. Despite the prosecution’s presence with their witnesses, they were now pushing for a transfer of the case.
Expressing concern over the fairness of this move, Onoja argued that it disadvantaged the defendant. He stated that he was fully prepared for trial and had not been informed of the prosecution’s intention for transfer despite ongoing communication with Lough.
Highlighting the case’s civil nature, Onoja pointed out that it had already been investigated in Lagos, with no incriminating findings against Akindele. He emphasized the irony of the prosecution initiating the charge and then seeking transfer.
Onoja concluded by informing the court that Akindele’s bail had been successfully secured.
But the judge informed Onoja that the defendant’s bail perfection documents were not in his possession.
Despite Onoja’s insistence that the documents were submitted to the court, he urged one of the registrars to confirm their existence in the court’s custody.
Initially reluctant to examine the documents, the judge eventually called for the file. Upon reviewing it, he noted that the bail was not perfected by March 8, as ordered by the court.
Justice Omotosho observed discrepancies, noting that while the sureties’ letter of introduction was dated March 13, the affidavit of means was dated March 11, three days after the specified deadline.
Expressing his leniency in light of the conditions of the earlier bail, the judge lamented the defendant’s failure to comply.
Akindele’s lawyer, however, appealed to the court not to issue an order for his client’s detention in the correctional center.
The judge was informed that the defendant was indisposed.
Consequently, the judge ordered Akindele to be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until the completion of his bail process.
The matter was adjourned until March 20 for the court to review the bail perfection and to hear the application for transferring the case to the Lagos division of the Federal High Court.
Drama unfolded at the Upper Area Court 2 in Otukpo, Benue State, as a former councillor, Daniel Ujah, was remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre over alleged assault and attempted culpable homicide.
Ujah, 43, who represented Awume-Icho Ward in Ohimini Local Government Area, was arraigned by the Nigeria Police on charges including criminal trespass, intimidation, criminal force and assault, causing grievous hurt, and attempted culpable homicide.
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The charges followed a petition filed by Rebecca Adole at the Area Commander’s Office in Otukpo, according to the First Information Report marked CR33/2026.
The police alleged that on August 28, 2026, Ujah trespassed into the compound of Adole’s mother, Amina Iduh, at Akwutulo, Awume, where he allegedly assaulted her.
According to the FIR, Iduh had returned from the farm when she was allegedly attacked, beaten and pushed into a fire, leaving her with injuries to her buttocks. Her clothes were also reportedly burnt during the incident.
The police said the woman was subsequently taken to a hospital in Onyagede, Ohimini Local Government Area, where she is receiving treatment.
Ujah was also accused of threatening to kill the woman and allegedly claiming that nobody would be able to stop him.
When the case came up for mention on Wednesday, Ujah pleaded not guilty to the charges.
His counsel, Rev. O. Simon, who held brief for P.O. Ella, applied for bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Inspector Nancy Alechenu, opposed the application.
Presiding magistrate, Hasia Garuba, subsequently ordered that Ujah be remanded at the Otukpo Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The court adjourned the case until September 22, 2026, for further mention.
The Lagos State Police Command has declared two men, Tomiloye Sunday and Oloyede Olowoyo, wanted over an alleged N115 million fraud.
The suspects were declared wanted by the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following allegations that they conspired with others still at large to obtain N115 million from a complainant under false pretences.
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Separate wanted notices issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday detailed the allegations against the two men.
According to the police, Sunday is wanted over alleged conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
The command alleged that Sunday conspired with other suspects, who are still at large, to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The police notice partly read, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with conspiracy, fraud, forgery, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretences.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
Olowoyo was also declared wanted over allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The police alleged that he similarly conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain N115 million from the complainant.
The notice stated, “The above-named person is hereby declared WANTED by the Nigeria Police Force in connection with allegations of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“The suspect is alleged to have conspired with others at large to fraudulently obtain the sum of N115,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifteen Million Naira) under the pretence of the complainant.”
The police identified Sunday’s last known address as Ikorodu, Lagos, and described him as a short, medium-built Yoruba man with a round face, upturned nose, small mouth, thin lips and dark complexion. He was also said to be bald.
Olowoyo’s last known address was given as No. 1, Commercial Avenue, Highway Barracks, Sabo, Lagos.
He was described as a heavy-built Yoruba man with a round face, long pointed nose, medium mouth, thick lips, prominent eyes and light complexion.
The command urged anyone with information about the whereabouts of either suspect to report to the nearest police station or the SCID, Musiliu Smith Street, Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Members of the public can also contact the police on 07073457317.
The allegations against the two men have not been established in court.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.
The Executive Order, which takes effect on August 31st, 2026, empowers the panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and examine whether criminal responsibility is connected to the deaths.
This was detailed in a government house statement on Saturday in Osogbo, which set it out that Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola has been appointed Chairman of the Coroner Inquest/Panel, with Mr. Abiodun Badiora as Secretary.
Other members include AIG (Dr)) Aderanti C Kayode, mni (Rtd), Mr. Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Comrade Wale Balogun representing Civil Society Organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr Babatunde Afolabi as Medical/Forensic Representative.
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The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.
It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident.
The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.
The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation.
Gov Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.
The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Osun State Commissioner of Police were by the Executive Order formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.
The panel is expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days from the date of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the Governor.
The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel.
The Governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.
The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation, while stressing that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest/Panel.
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