The Murtala Muhammed International Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says its officers intercepted fake $1.2 million notes, 148 drones, and five cryptocurrency machines in Lagos.

Speaking on Thursday during the hand over of the seized items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Charles Orbih, customs area commander, said the items were confiscated between January and April.

Orbih said the intercepted items were handed over to the appropriate authorities in Lagos as directed by Bashir Adeniyi, comptroller-general of customs.

“The command also handed over 148 pieces of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) also known as drones, 112 military hardware and accessories, two bulletproof helmets and two military vests to the 81 division of the Nigerian Army in Lagos,” NAN quoted Orbih as saying.

“The counterfeited foreign currencies were handed over to the EFCC’s assistant commander, Oguzi Moses.

“Also, the UAVs and other military hardware were handed over to the General Officer commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammad Usman.”

He said the importers of the UAVs were unable to present an end-user certificate (EUC) from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA).

“Virtually all the drones were abandoned, while drones above 250 grams are to come with EUCs and whenever we ask for the certificate, they abandon the UAVs,” he added.

The area commander said the NCS generated N19 billion in revenue between January and April this year, adding that there was a 67 percent increase in collection when juxtaposed with 2023.

“In line with the NCS mandate of revenue collection, revenue generation, suppression of smuggling, trade facilitation and national security, the officers and men of the command under my watch remained resolute and dedicated in ensuring the blockage of revenue leakages,” he added.

“The command also ensured facilitation of legitimate trade through a combined effort, in compliance with the policy thrust of the comptroller-general of customs.

“The command generated N19 billion between January and April 2024. This represents 42 percent collection of the annual revenue target given to the command for the year 2024 and 67 percent increase in collection against the preceding year of 2023.

“In our continued effort to block revenue leakages, the command made some seizures and detention of the following items — precious stones such as zinc, lithium, copper stones/sand, 120 pieces of SIM cards.

“The command seized four drones with a duty paid value of N7.8 million; one wooden giraffe statue and five bulletproof jackets with a DPV of N1.25 million.”

Abdulwahab Mohammed, lead counsel to Yahaya Bello, former Kogi governor, has asked a federal high court in Abuja to give him four weeks to search for his client.

Mohammed added that the ex-governor’s whereabouts remain unknown.

Addressing the court shortly after a ruling which insisted on the arrest of his client, Mohammed said Bello has deep concerns about his safety.

“My lord, this has to do with his right to life. If someone has a genuine concern about his life, it ought to be considered,” the counsel submitted.

“At this stage, we don’t know where the defendant is. Therefore, subject to the convenience of this court, we will be asking for a reasonable time.

“My client does not have any problem answering to this charge. We ask for a reasonable time to enable us to access him.

“My lord, we will ask for four weeks.”

Mohammed also prayed the court to stay further proceedings in the criminal charge.

However, Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, refused to stay the proceedings.

“I am shocked to my bone marrow that despite the ruling, the senior lawyer made this application,” Nwite said.

“Notwithstanding this flagrant abuse of court process, in view of section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, this court shall not stay proceedings in this charge.”

Addressing the senior lawyer, the judge said: “You, as a counsel ought to advise him correctly. Is he the only former governor that has been invited or charged by the EFCC?”

“How many people have been killed by the EFCC? This is a matter that has attracted the attention of the whole world,” the judge stated.

“If he reports himself and anything untoward happens to him, the EFCC will be held accountable.

“The law is very clear that an accused is presumed innocent. This is merely a charge, an allegation that has not been proved.

“It is for you to advise him properly. Bring him here and prepare yourself. This is only an allegation that has not been proved.”

In his submission, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the EFCC, said his client, as a law abiding organisation, would not take any illegal action against the defendant.

He noted that the agency earlier undertook not to execute the arrest warrant should the defendant voluntarily submit himself for trial.

Turning to the defence lawyer, Oyedepo said: “The EFCC will not kill your client. We have never killed anyone before.”

“But my lord, Adoke collapsed in their custody,” Bello’s lawyer retorted light-heartedly.

Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter till June 13 for arraignment.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

Bandits have reportedly attacked the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTEC) Osara in Kogi state.

The bandits, it was gathered, invaded the university around 9pm on Thursday.

The incident occurred while students were reading in classrooms for their forthcoming examinations.

A student who pleaded anonymity, said that she was in ‘Class LR5’ with some other students for tutorials, when they heard a gunshot.

The student said they were shocked to hear the first boom of a gun, with several gunshots following in quick succession.

“We started scampering for safety and it appeared that the gunshots were coming from class LR3, where some students were also reading,” she said.

“I did not know where to run to. When I peeped through the window, I saw our security guard returning fire.”

The source disclosed that some students who managed to escape, said the bandits were shooting at them as they fled the scene.

“This morning, we cannot find some of our course mates. Their phone lines are not reachable. We even saw someone’s phone on the floor. We don’t know the number of students that have been kidnapped,” the student said.