Crime
Prominent Businessman, Politician’s Bail Revoked Amid Grandstanding Video Controversy
In a significant development, Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has nullified the bail previously granted to Ericbona Ushie, a well-known businessman and politician facing allegations of a N35 million fraud.
The court has slated the next hearing for June 20, 2024, providing an opportunity for the defense to contest video evidence presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The footage suggests that Ushie, originally from Cross River State, was not in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service as expected.
The EFCC had formally charged Ushie on February 12, 2024, with a total of 13 offenses, including stealing, obtaining under false pretenses, use of false documents, forgery, and possession of fraudulent documents, amounting to N35,397,000.
One of the counts reads: “Ericbona Eliom Ushie, sometime in 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted the total sum of N35,397,000.00, property of Calibration and Non-destructive Services Limited for your own use.”
Another count reads: “Ericbona Eliom Ushie, sometime in 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud the aggregate sum of N35,397,000.00 property of Calibration and Non-destructive Services Limited under the pretense that the said sum was for the purpose of securing an award of contract from Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.”
Pleading “not guilty” to the charges, Ericbona Ushie initiated his defense.
Subsequently, Bilikisu Buhari, representing the EFCC, informed the court about the prosecution’s plan to present 13 witnesses in support of their case.
In response, the defense counsel, C.C. Orji, apprised the court of the defendant’s bail application.
C.C. Orji stated, “We have also served the same on the prosecution.”
In response, Bilikisu Buhari conveyed that the prosecution opposed the bail and had submitted a counter-affidavit.
Orji urged the court to grant bail to the defendant, highlighting that Ushie had been in EFCC custody since December 2, 2023.
Emphasizing the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, Orji made a case for the defendant’s right to bail.
He said “He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Orji continued to assert that Ushie posed no flight risk and appealed to the court for self-recognition.
However, the prosecution countered, citing a court order as the basis for his detention in EFCC custody and pointing out additional pending cases with various courts.
Justice Abike-Fadipe, rejecting release to the defense counsel, ordered Ushie’s remand in prison custody.
The court scheduled the next hearing and ruling on the bail application for February 22, 2024.
In the verdict on the bail application, Justice Abike-Fadipe approved bail for Ericbona Ushie, setting the sum at N35 million.
The conditions included two sureties of equal value, required to reside and possess property within Lagos, along with proof of tax payment for the last three years.
While granting bail, the court also directed Ushie to be remanded in prison custody until the fulfillment of the specified bail conditions.
On February 26, 2024, Bilikisu Buhari alerted the court to a viral video circulating on social media.
The video depicted the defendant, Ericbona Ushie, comfortably posing in his Lekki residence in Lagos State, claiming he was never arrested, detained, or sent to prison by any court.
In the video, presented in open court, Ushie, who was supposed to be in prison custody, sat at his dining table with a plate of jollof rice, a bottle of water, and a pack of juice, boldly asserting, “I wasn’t arrested.”
Boasting further, Ushie retorted: “It baffles me, the energy [some people] use to try to destroy…It is disheartening… I am sitting in the comfort of my house… Today is the 18th February [2024] Sunday, the day before yesterday was 16th… I don’t know, one element of no commercial value posted something on Facebook; anybody can sponsor any post… and then, they go ahead to say that me, Ericbona Eliom Ushie, Honourable, [that] I am in prison… e be like say Nigeria Prisons dem don dey get prison wey dey [fine] like this [my beautiful house] o.”
Justice Abike-Fadipe, taken aback by the video, revoked the previously granted bail to the defendant.
The court issued a new order, mandating Ushie to stay in prison custody until June 20, 2024, the scheduled date for the defense to counter the contents of the aforementioned video.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the alleged terrorism financing and illegal firearms possession case involving former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and his son, Abdulaziz Malami, until April 15 and 16.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted the adjournment on Tuesday after the prosecution requested more time to prepare for the trial.
During the court session, lead prosecuting counsel, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that he had only recently been assigned to handle the case and needed additional time to consult with witnesses.
SEE ALSO: Malami Speaks Out On Court Ruling, Urges Nigerians To Stay Calm
“I got the instruction to take over the prosecution of the case on Monday and so I need time to interface with the witnesses,” Kehinde told the court while asking for a new hearing date.
Counsel for the defendants, Shuaibu Arua (SAN), did not oppose the request for adjournment.
Following the application, Justice Abdulmalik granted the request and fixed April 15 and 16 for the continuation of the trial.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arraigned the former justice minister and his son on a five-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism financing and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/63/2026, Malami was accused of allegedly aiding terrorism financing by failing to prosecute suspected financiers whose case files were reportedly forwarded to him while he served as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The defendants were also accused of illegally storing firearms and ammunition at their residence located in Gesse Phase II Area of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State without lawful authority.
Items allegedly recovered include a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5’20 live cartridges, and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges.
The alleged offences are said to violate provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, as well as the Firearms Act, 2004.
The trial is expected to continue in April when the court begins full hearing of the case.
A routine patrol by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Lagos and the exposure of a wanted driver, highlighting the importance of proper vehicle documentation and cooperation with authorities.
The incident occurred at the RS2.1114 Isolo Unit Command, where officers stopped an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna bearing registration number LSD438GK for a Vehicle Licence Violation (VLV) on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at about 5:11 p.m.
While the driver initially failed to present valid documents, further checks revealed the vehicle had been reported stolen and the driver was already declared wanted.
SEE ALSO: Fatigue, Over Speeding Led To Road Accident Which Claimed 21 Kano Athletes – FRSC
The suspect was subsequently handed over in handcuffs to the Nigeria Police Force, Ajao Division, for further action.
The FRSC credited the recovery to the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS), a digital framework that strengthens vehicle verification and tracking.
The scheme has reportedly helped identify, trace, and recover numerous stolen vehicles nationwide, while curbing criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft and identity manipulation.
In a statement, Assistant Corps Marshal Olusegun Ogungbemide stressed that enforcement is not only about traffic compliance but also crime prevention and public safety, urging motorists to always carry valid documentation and cooperate with patrol officers.
Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed commended the Isolo team for their vigilance, affirming the FRSC’s commitment to leveraging technology, intelligence, and strategic partnerships to protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
A major election scandal unfolded on Saturday in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as security agents apprehended a young woman in the Kabusa area for allegedly possessing 20 voter cards during the ongoing area council elections.
The woman, dressed in a black shirt and red trousers with a white scarf, was intercepted at Polling Unit 001 in Kabusa Primary School.
She was immediately escorted into a police van by security personnel, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process.
SEE ALSO: Chaos At Nyanya Polling Unit As PDP, ADC Accuse APC of ₦1,000 Vote Buying
Meanwhile, the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, was on the ground monitoring the elections.
He visited several polling units, including the Karu Chief’s Palace, to interact with adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and assess voter turnout.
Wike reportedly inquired about the progress of the voting and the challenges faced by election officials.
This incident comes amid reports of low voter turnout and other electoral irregularities in parts of Abuja, underscoring ongoing concerns about electoral security and transparency in the FCT area council elections.
Authorities have assured that investigations are ongoing, and the suspect may face legal action pending further verification of her actions.
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