The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two suspects for allegedly obtaining the sum of N603.4 million from one Oluseye Yomi-Sholoye to facilitate her appointment as the group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

The suspects are Gidado Ibrahim and Halimat Adenike Tejusho, who is currently at large.

They were arraigned on Monday at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court in Maitama on an amended six count-charge bordering on fraud and obtaining by false pretence.

The suspects were accused of allegedly forging a document with the letter titled: ‘Presidential Villa State House, OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER.’

The charges read, “That you GIDADO IBRAHIM and HALIMAT ADENIKE TEJUSHO O (now at large) between August 2024 to October 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court obtained the sum of N603, 400,000.00. (Six Hundred and Three Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from OLUSEYE YOMI-SHOLOYE under the false pretence that you will facilitate her appointment as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act,” part of the charge sheet reads.

“That you, GIDADO IBRAHIM sometime in August, 2024 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did use as genuine a forged document titled ‘Presidential Villa State House, OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER’ when you knew or had reason to believe it to be forged and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 of the Penal Code Law and Punishable under Section 364 of the same Law.”

Ibrahim pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After the not guilty plea, Y. Tarfa, the prosecution counsel, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in the correctional centre.

B. B. Alhaji, counsel to Ibrahim, appealed to the court to remand his client in EFCC custody over his health status pending the ruling of the bail application.

H. Muazu, the trial judge, adjourned the matter to February 17, 2026 for hearing of the application

The judge thereafter ordered the remand of the defendant in Kuje correctional facility.

A road accident involving a trailer heading towards Gujungu, Jigawa State, has claimed the lives of more than 30 persons at Kwanar Barde in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The incident, which occurred early Sunday morning, was allegedly caused by reckless driving, leaving many others with serious injuries.

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, mourned the victims of the crash, describing the incident as heartbreaking and a huge loss to the affected families and the entire people of the state.

The governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesperson, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa.

“According to reports, the fatal accident involved a trailer heading towards Gujungu, which allegedly crashed due to reckless driving, leading to the death of over 30 persons, while many others sustained serious injuries.

“Governor Yusuf prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked Allah to grant their families the strength to bear the painful loss.

“He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the state,” the statement read.

The governor directed the Kano State Ministry of Health to ensure that all victims of the accident admitted to hospitals receive free and adequate medical care without delay.

He also instructed the Office of the Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs to immediately assess the situation and put measures in place to support the families of the victims.

Governor Yusuf further warned motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, to avoid reckless driving and strictly comply with traffic regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Medical and humanitarian teams have since been mobilised to cater for the injured and affected families.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has uncovered fresh attempts by drug traffickers to smuggle illicit drugs using everyday consumer items, including yoghurt packs and MP3 players.

Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, disclosed this in a post shared via his X handle on Sunday.

Babafemi, while highlighting emerging narco-trends, said consignments of methamphetamine were concealed inside Hollandia yoghurt packs and MP3 players, a tactic uncovered by NDLEA operatives during recent operations.

He warned law-abiding citizens to be cautious while travelling and to avoid collecting parcels or luggage from anyone, whether for local or international trips.

He wrote, “Narco-trends: When we see how desperate drug traffickers are becoming daily, we’re reminded always to warn law abiding people to avoid collecting any luggage or parcel from anyone on your travels whether local or international.

“The videos shared with this post shows how consignments of methamphetamine were concealed in Hollandia Yogurt packs and Mp3 players as uncovered by #ndlea_nigeria officers. Just take a look and be guided at all times”