Connect with us

Metro News

Alleged abuse of office: Emefiele’s wife, niece received funds, listed as beneficiaries, witness tells court

Published

on

 

A former Secretary to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr John Ogah, continued his testimony on Wednesday before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, where he disclosed that his former boss, Godwin Emefiele, listed his niece as one of the beneficiaries of funds from an account allegedly operated on his behalf.

Ogah, who is testifying as the 6th prosecution witness made the disclosure while answering questions from the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Rotimi Oyedepo.

 

Ogah told the court that he’s aware that the former CBN Governor once instructed the 5th prosecution witness, an account officer with Zenith bank, Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, to send funds into the account of his niece named Hannah.

 

Emefiele’s Counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo, raised objections to this line of questions and queried the relevance of the testimony as Hannah’s name was not mentioned anywhere in the charge. He insisted that it was an attempt to introduce sensationalism into the matter.

See also  Welcome back: Buhari receives Emefiele in Aso Rock amid DSS saga

The EFCC Counsel, however, countered the objection, he maintained that it was connected to the fact in issue and abuse of office charge and of conferring corrupt advantage on Emefiele’s associates and immediate family members including his wife, Margaret.

Through the witness, the EFCC also tendered in evidence, several email messages he sent to the account officer of three companies, Comec Support Services Ltd, Limelight Multideimensional Services Ltd and Andswin Resources Limited in Zenith Bank to transfer funds to certain beneficiaries.

The EFCC had alleged that the companies were used to launder funds for the former CBN governor.

 

Justice Rahman Oshodi has adjourned the case to November 28, 2024, for continuation of trial.

Metro News

Kidnappers of retired Major General release video, demand cows, members’ release

Published

on

By

The abductors of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife has released a video of the couple in captivity.

It would be recalled that the couple were abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, near Zakin Baure village.

In the four-minute video circulated on social media on Saturday, the wife of the retired general was seen conveying the abductors’ demands.

The demands included the release of three of their members identified as Sani, Aminu and Nasiru, as well as the return of livestock allegedly seized from them.

According to her account, two of the detained individuals were arrested in Jikamshi while the third was arrested in Kano.

She also appealed to the Katsina State Government and leaders of five local government areas to facilitate compliance with the demands to secure their release.

The retired general, who spoke briefly in the video, called for efforts to ensure peace, adding that the abductors had expressed interest in dialogue and peaceful coexistence.

See also  NLC kicks against planned petrol price increase

The notorious bandit leader, Kachallah Muhammad, who operates in parts of Katsina State, had reportedly established communication with the family of the retired general, according to a report by Daily Trust.

Continue Reading

Metro News

Police uncover gun factory in Yobe, arrest seven suspects

Published

on

By

Operatives of the Yobe state command of the Nigeria Police Force have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication factory in Potiskum, Yobe State.

The Command’s spokesman, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, in a press statement, confirmed that seven suspects were arrested as part of the renewed strategies of the Commissioner of Police aimed at combating crime and criminality across the state.

“On June 2, 2026, at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the Potiskum Area Command led a coordinated raid in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters following reports that some blacksmiths were engaged in the illegal fabrication of Dane guns and other firearms.

“Police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum. During the operation, seven suspects were arrested, and the following exhibits recovered,” the state read in part.

Abdulkarim added that fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine, and one sharp cutlass were recovered.

See also  DSS files charges against Emefiele for illegal possession of firearm

He said that the suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities.

“The Command further advises members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies,” the statement added.

Continue Reading

Metro News

NDLEA intercepts drugs concealed in water purifiers from Netherlands, arrests man with 380 rounds of military-grade ammunition

Published

on

By

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted high-potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped from the Netherlands.

The discovery was made on May 26, 2026, at a courier company, where officers found 3 kilograms of ketamine and 199 grams of MDMA hidden inside the appliances.

Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, in a statement released on Sunday, said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have uncovered consignments of high potency illicit drugs concealed in water purifier machines shipped to Lagos from Netherlands.”

In another operation in Kaduna State, operatives arrested a couple, Musa Sunday and Mercy Sunday, alongside Salomi Ezekiel, after recovering 100 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 1,246 kilograms from their residence in Gonin Gora area on May 24.

On the same day, along the Abuja–Kaduna highway at Jere, officers intercepted Sunusi Musa, a 30-year-old suspect found with 380 rounds of 7.62mm military-grade ammunition, allegedly heading to Katsina State.

See also  Drug abuse by youths fueling insecurity, says NDLEA

The suspect and exhibits were handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

Babafemi said, “In Niger State, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence raided a warehouse at Gidan Kukah, Bosso Local Government Area, on May 27, where 457 kilograms of skunk were recovered.

“A suspect, Godwin Zakka, was later arrested at his residence in Minna in connection with the seizure.

“In Enugu State, operatives on patrol along the Onitsha–Enugu expressway intercepted a commercial vehicle marked JAY-158-YF on May 28, recovering 22,000 tramadol pills, 100 ampoules of pentazocine and 200 grams of bromazepam. A suspect, James Maigari Wisdom, was arrested.”

The agency said its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation campaign continued nationwide alongside enforcement operations, with lectures held in schools and communities across Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Anambra states, among others.

It said, “With the same zeal, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities, among others.”

See also  Emefiele: Documents approving $6.2m for election observers were forged, forensic analyst tells court

Commending the operations, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), praised officers for sustaining both enforcement and preventive efforts and urged them to intensify the nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

Continue Reading

Trending News