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Alleged N8bn CCTV contract fraud: ICPC arraigns el-Rufai, Jimi Lawal, others on amended charges

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai, and six others on an 11-count amended charge bordering on alleged corruption, money laundering and related offences.

The six other defendants are Jimi Lawal, a former aide of el-Rufai; Singularity Network Security Limited; Solar Life Nigeria Limited; Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited; Intercellular Nigeria Limited; and Noble Coast Resources Limited.

In a statement on the website of ICPC, Bashir el-Rufai, an elder brother of the former governor, who is currently at large, is also mentioned in one of the counts.

The defendants were arraigned before Hauwa’u Buhari, a judge at the federal high court in Kaduna.

In the amended charge sheet, ICPC alleged that the former Kaduna governor “unlawfully approved the award of a contract for the procurement, survey planning, final design and installation of a Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system in Kaduna Metropolis in the reviewed sum of ₦8,682,574,054.94 to Singularity Network Security Limited, contrary to public procurement laws, a company alleged to lack the requisite experience and qualifications”.

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The anti-graft agency also alleged that they “knowingly received or took possession of funds amounting to over ₦2 billion through various transactions involving Singularity Network Security Limited, Solar Life Nigeria Limited, Knowledge Investment Nigeria Limited, Intercellular Nigeria Limited and Noble Coast Resources Limited between 2017 and 2022”.

El-Rufai and Lawal pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The case was adjourned to July 1, 2026 for ruling on the bail application.

El-Rufai served as Kaduna governor from 2015 and 2023.

Lawal was a senior adviser to the former governor and a counsellor at the Kaduna Economic Development Council from 2019 to 2023.

He also served as el-Rufai’s special adviser during his first term.

El-Rufai is currently being prosecuted on multiple charges in different courts by the ICPC and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The ICPC had previously arraigned the former governor at the federal high court in Kaduna and Kaduna high court on separate charges bordering on alleged corruption and money laundering.

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The DSS is also prosecuting the former governor on five counts over allegations that he unlawfully intercepted telephone conversations linked to Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser.

At the federal high court in Kaduna, Rilwani Aikawa, the judge, granted bail in the sum of N200 million to the former governor.

At the Kaduna high court, Darius Khobo, the trial judge, denied the bail application of el-Rufai.

At the federal high court in Abuja, Joyce Abdulmalik, the judge, granted el-Rufai bail in the sum of N100 million with one surety in like sum.

The judge had ruled that the surety must reside in either Maitama or Asokoro districts of Abuja and must deposit the original certificate of occupancy (C of O) of a landed property with the court registry.

Criticisms have trailed the bail conditions imposed on the former governor with critics arguing that they are stringent.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: Fake agency scandal: How IG’s special forces arrested controversial DG in Osun hideout

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1. The Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday arrested Adeniyi Adeyemi, the self-styled Director-General of the alleged Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, following a bench warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Abuja, after he failed to appear for his arraignment on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Justice Mohammed Umar ordered Adeyemi’s arrest after granting an oral application by the prosecution, led by Wisdom Madaki, following the defendant’s absence when the case was called.

2. President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of state police services, describing the proposal as a critical step towards reorganising Nigeria’s security architecture to tackle the country’s growing security challenges. This was contained in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

3. A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment for concealing information about a notorious bandit, Danranmi, an offence that enabled the suspect to evade arrest. In a judgment on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Sani on counts one and two of the charge brought by the Department of State Services, DSS.

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4. The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will recognise only the candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, confirming that the faction has already nominated candidates for 471 elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election. INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, told The PUNCH that the commission granted the Mark-led faction access to its nomination portal, following the Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership, adding that the rival faction had no legal basis to submit candidates

5. Lagos Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for yet-to-be-identified gunmen who shot dead the Organising Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Toba Ajiboye, popularly called Toba Ijaya, along the Ikorodu road in Lagos. According to information, the NURTW scribe was pronounced dead by medical experts at the St. Nichola Hospital in Lagos Island Local Government where he was rushed to after the attack.

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6. It was an emotional reunion at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, on Tuesday as dozens of schoolchildren and teachers rescued from kidnappers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reunited with their families after spending 56 days in captivity. The hospital premises came alive with tears, prayers, songs of thanksgiving and warm embraces as parents waited anxiously from the early hours of the day for medical clearance to take their children home.

7. A coroner’s court in the United Kingdom has ruled that a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, Beatrice Solomon, died by suicide after battling mental health challenges linked to personal difficulties. Beatrice, who relocated from Nigeria to the UK on a skilled worker visa in November 2023, was found unresponsive in her home on Norris Road, Stanfield.

8. The  coroner’s court in the United Kingdom has ruled that a 27-year-old Nigerian woman, Beatrice Solomon, died by suicide after battling mental health challenges linked to personal difficulties. Beatrice, who relocated from Nigeria to the UK on a skilled worker visa in November 2023, was found unresponsive in her home on Norris Road, Stanfield


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9. Rivers State Police Command has arrested a man identified simply as Richard for allegedly killing his lover, Caroline Sunday, during a domestic dispute over allegations of infidelity in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, reportedly began after the suspect confronted the deceased over claims that she was being unfaithful—an allegation she denied.

10. Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, has warned against what he described as attempts to capture the opposition party through judicial manipulation and the misuse of state institutions. George, in a statement on Tuesday, condemned the recent developments surrounding the party’s leadership crisis, alleging that some forces were working to destabilise the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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BREAKING: Police arrest of fake federal agency DG Adeyemi in Osun

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Embattled self-acclaimed Director-General of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, Adeniyi Adeyemi, has been arrested by the police in Osun few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

According to Punch, the spokesperson of the Osun Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi said Adeniyi was arrested in his hideout in Osun by the Intelligence Response Team from Abuja. He is likely to be transferred to Abuja later today.

“Yes, it is confirmed.  The Intelligence Response Team from Abuja arrested him here in Osun,” Ojelabi said.

A video of the arrest showed Adeyemi dressed in a light blue traditional outfit while surrounded by security operatives.

In the footage, he appeared serious and visibly concerned as he responded to questions from officers.

When asked to identify himself, Adeyemi initially declined to give a direct response.

“I’ve mentioned it, sir,” he said.

The officers insisted that he state his name again.

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“Mention it for us, please. What is your name? What is your name?” one of the officers asked.

Adeyemi replied, “I’ve said it several times.”

His arrest came hours after Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his arrest following his failure to appear for arraignment over alleged conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.

Earlier, the judge granted an oral application by the prosecution after Adeyemi failed to appear in court to take his plea on an eight-count charge filed by the Nigeria Police Force.

The prosecution alleged that Adeyemi operated the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, an organisation the Presidency has maintained does not exist.

Justice Umar, while ruling on the prosecution’s application, dismissed arguments by Adeyemi’s lawyer that his client stayed away because he feared for his life.

According to the court, the defendant would be compelled to appear and face trial.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until September 30, 2026, for arraignment.

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Adeyemi’s arrest comes barely a day after he publicly denied reports that he was evading security agencies.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, he had insisted he was not hiding.

“I’m ready to show my face. I’m not hiding. I’m only fearing for my life because I have it on good authority that my life is in danger.

“There have been several attempts on my life.”

He also repeated his allegation that he paid ₦400 million through an intermediary to secure his appointment as Director-General of the disputed council and called for an independent investigation into the controversy.

The police had accused Adeyemi of forging several official documents, including a purported presidential appointment letter allegedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as other government documents used to present the council as a legitimate federal agency.

Investigators also alleged that Adeyemi falsely presented himself as the Director-General of the council and operated from an office within the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.

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If convicted on the forgery-related charges, he faces up to 21 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, while the impersonation charge carries a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a fine.

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Good morning! Nigerian Newspapers Headlines: Oyo abduction: Presidency slams Makinde over demand for UN probe

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1. The Presidency on Monday criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde over his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, describing the demand as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Makinde, while formally assuming responsibility for the welfare, rehabilitation and education of the 45 teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity on Monday, called for a UN-backed investigation into the abduction, saying Nigerians deserved a full account of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

2. Director-General of the phantom federal agency under probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew billed for arraignment on criminal charges today in Abuja may not show up in court. This is going by the indication he gave last night on a television programme when he alleged from his hideout that his life is at risk.


3. The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the April 29 judgment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, barring the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing or participating in any state congresses conducted by the congress committees appointed by the David Mark-led Caretaker/Interim National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

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4. Recalling the last days of former President Muhammadu Buhari at a London hospital last year, Vice President Kashim Shettima said he wept seeing that life was ebbing out of the late leader. Speaking at the one year remembrance event on Monday Shettima said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called him and said, “‘Kashim, I’ve just learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari is ill in London, proceed to London and ensure he lacks nothing”.

5. A torrential downpour on Monday brought commercial activities to a halt in several parts of Lagos as widespread flooding submerged vehicles, left motorists and commuters stranded and triggered severe traffic across major roads. The worst-hit areas included Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island and Oworonshoki, where floodwaters overwhelmed roads and left many vehicles partially submerged.

6. The African Democratic Congress has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate what it described as the alleged forgery and unauthorised use of documents purportedly issued by the electoral body, following claims by a faction that it had uploaded the names of the party’s presidential candidate and other nominees to the commission’s nomination portal.
The Nafiu Bala Gombe faction of the party had reported on Sunday night that it had successfully uploaded the names of its candidates on the INEC portal.



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7. Imo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a man accused of murdering his wife inside a church in Owaelu, Owerri North Local Government Area, before fleeing with two of their three children and abandoning a suckling baby beside her lifeless body. The woman’s body was reportedly discovered on Monday morning after neighbours, alarmed by the persistent cries of the infant, traced the sound to the church premises.

8. Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for economic sanctions and visa bans against opposition leaders in the state, accusing them of aiding and abetting political violence in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke made the call on Monday while receiving a delegation of the British Government on a pre-election peace-building mission to Osun State.

9. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has switched payment for the sale of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and Aviation Turbine Kerosene, ATK to U.S. dollar. The new policy, which took effect immediately, applies to both gantry and coastal product sales.

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10. Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called for independent scrutiny of the May 14 abduction of children and teachers from Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of the state. Makinde made the call in his statewide broadcast on Monday in Ibadan, shortly after he received 44 children and teachers recently rescued from bandits.

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