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Tag: EFCC

  • Kaduna serial land racketeer in EFCC net

    Kaduna serial land racketeer in EFCC net

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one Alhassan Garba over his suspected involvement in several cases of land fraud in Kaduna.

    EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, the suspect who is entangled in scores of land racketeering matters in Kaduna, parades himself as an estate agent.

    Oyewale said the suspect usually leaves his unsuspecting victims in tears and regret in their dealings with him.

    ”In one of such cases, the suspect allegedly sold a piece of land to his victim at the sum of N14.5 million after which the victim discovered that the documents were forged and that the land did not belong to the suspect.

    ”The commission’s investigation further revealed that the victim paid the money into a UBA account provided by the suspect.

    ”An analysis of the account showed that the sum of N900,000 and N8.8 million were respectively transferred to the suspect and to a company account,” he said.

    Read Also: EFCC to arraign 93 suspects arrested at OOPL in batches

    He said that in another matter, the suspect in October 2020 approached a victim through one of his accomplices, who advertised a piece of land at Tsaunin Kura G.R.A, Sabonn Tasha, Kaduna with the claim that it belonged to one Muhammed Khalid.

    ”As the victim showed interest to buy the land, Garba, alongside his accomplice and Khalid visited the victim in his office where N8 millions was agreed as price for the land.

    ”The victim paid N7,802,000  in tranches into the Zenith Bank account of Khalid and an additional cash of N198,000 to Garba.

    ”The victim was given an Offer of Grant, bearing Barnabas Dauda and a Deed to which Khalid signed as assignor, while one Imam signed as witness,” he said.

    He explained that the victim later visited the land, only to realise that it rather belonged to someone else.

    Oyewale said that in a case reported to the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the commission on January 23, 2023, the suspect and five others, allegedly sold plots of land worth N32 million to a victim with fake title documents, way back in March 2018.

    “In 2022, the suspect alongside two others, allegedly approached a victim, while posing as genuine owners of a plot of land, situated on No. 33B Yusuf Hamisu Road T.P.O Government Area Center Residential Layout Mahuta Igabi L.G.A of Kaduna State.

    ”The suspect and his cohorts succeeded in selling the land to the victim at the cost of N2 million only for the victim to later discover that the property did not belong to them.

    ”Garba once jumped the Commission’s administrative bail and had to be smoked out of his hideout in Kabala Costain, Maiduguri Road, Kaduna and rearrested on Aug. 12.

    ”He will be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded in any of the cases involving him,” Oyewale said.

    (NAN)

  • EFCC to arraign 93 suspects arrested at OOPL in batches

    EFCC to arraign 93 suspects arrested at OOPL in batches

    • Agency takes 23 to court today

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraign 23 suspected internet fraudsters before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, following their arrest at a hotel within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The suspects were among 93 persons apprehended in a sting operation during a pool party allegedly organised to celebrate their illicit gains.

    According to EFCC, the party was initially scheduled for two different venues but was moved to the OOPL hotel in a bid to evade arrest.

    Read Also: ‘EFCC hits back at ADC, others over ‘unprovoked attack’

    Investigations showed that almost all those arrested were indicted for offences ranging from impersonation to identity theft and various forms of internet fraud.

    EFCC said the suspects had confessed to their involvement in cybercrime.

    The anti-graft agency clarified that the OOPL facility was not the target of the operation, stressing that its focus remained on the suspects.

    The arraignment will be conducted in batches, with the remaining suspects expected to be charged soon.

  • EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started investigation into one Duru Ikechukwu Damian, who was arrested for allegedly failing to declare $59,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    According to the EFCC, Damian was apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, August 11, during a routine check at the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Currency Declaration Desk.

    The suspect, who was scheduled to board an Emirates Airline flight to Dubai, reportedly told customs officials that he had only $10,000 on him. However, a search indicated an additional $49,000.

    Read Also: Amaechi: how Fayemi and I began opposition coalition

    During the handover to the EFCC yesterday, the Area Comptroller of Customs at the airport, E. I. Harrison, emphasised the ongoing efforts to sensitise travellers about currency declaration laws.

    “We have carried out sensitisation and public announcements. At present, at the airport, announcements are made at intervals, and electronic signages display these messages. Yet, some people still fail to adhere to the laws and regulations,” Harrison said.

    Receiving the suspect, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, vowed that the commission would not relent in enforcing money laundering laws.

    “Laws are meant to be obeyed. We will always do our best, in line with our mandate, to ensure that any individual who violates the law does not go scot-free,” Ghali warned.

  • ‘EFCC hits back at ADC, others over ‘unprovoked attack’

    ‘EFCC hits back at ADC, others over ‘unprovoked attack’

    • •Tambuwal released, passport seized

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday reiterated its commitment to a reinvigorated anti-graft without sparing any sacred cow.

    The chairman, Ola Olukoyede, explained that the agency runs a non-partisan mandate, adding that it has been  circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of the mandate. 

    He insisted that the law would take its course whether suspects belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the opposition.

    “If  I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said via a statement by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

    The EFCC boss said the investigation and trial of suspects are not time bound.

    It was in reaction to the criticisms by the chieftains of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against the interrogation of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal over alleged suspicious withdrawal of N189 billion from the state government account when he was in office.

    The former governor, who was detained in the  headquarters of the commission in Abuja on Monday, was released around 5pm yesterday on bail.

    However, a source said Tambuwal’s passports were seized to restrict him to the country, pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation.

    The ADC, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary,  Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the Commission of reopening dormant cases against opposition leaders as a reaction to “emergent political affiliations.

    The opposition party also alleged attempts to intimidate key opposition members by the Federal Government. .

    Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, an ADC chieftain, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi objected to the interrogation, saying that Tambuwal’s detention was a ploy to intimidate and weaken the opposition.

    Olukoyede described the attack by the ADC as unprovoked and shocking, stressing that it underscored a blame game.

    Read Also: EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    He said it will not submit itself to blackmail to discontinue ongoing investigations.

    Olukoyede added: “The African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide, came as a rude shock and unwarranted blame game.

    “Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene would admit that the commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate.”

    The commission’s chairman also faulted the ADC’s claim that its summons were politically motivated.

      He said: “The ADC’s claims that “opposition coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures”,  are clearly self-serving,  diversionary, narrow  and  idle.

    “ The question is, what determines “fresh cases” and old cases? Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated and there is no constraint of time and season in criminal investigations.

      “Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divide are answering charges  of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    “It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party  owing to allegations of corrupt practices. 

    “ Besides,  many serving state governors of various political colouration are on the investigative  radar of the commission.”

    Olukoyede said its operation was without political colouration, stressing that it will not succumb to blackmail to make any disclosure on its ongoing investigations.

    He added: “The commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor,  no matter the provocation.   

     “The ADC was right to have admitted that “The EFCC does not belong to the APC.  It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party.’’  Nothing can be farther from this truth. 

    “The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out her mandate.  Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC. 

    “The “opposition figures” the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to white-wash know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the commission.” 

     Olukoyede said there is  no sacred cow in the anti-graft war.

    He stressed: “The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity.   Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.

    “The EFCC will continue to do its job and all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoined to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury.”

    EFCC witch-

    hunting opposition,  says Atiku

    Chiding the EFCC for detaining Tambuwal,  the former vice president described it as a strategy by the Tinubu administration to intimidate and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections.

    He alleged in a statement posted on his official X account that Tambuwal’s detention was politically motivated.

    He stated: “The only reason the @officialEFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, @AWTambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition Coalition. It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harrass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition.”

    Obi: anti-graft agency harassing foes

    Obi faulted Tambuwal’s detention, saying that EFCC is not transparent in its operations.

    He said the detention has opened up an existing contradiction apparent in the fight against corruption in the country.

    Obi stated on his X handle that corruption can only be tackled if leaders are sincere.

    He added: “I look forward to the time when the anti corruption fight in this country will be under one law that applies to all, no matter who is involved, and not one targeting political opponents and perceived enemies of the incumbent government.”

  • Commission: how corrupt public officers use conduct bureau

    Commission: how corrupt public officers use conduct bureau

    Many public officers now make anticipatory declaration of assets to justify what to steal in office, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has alleged.

    He cited cases of politicians falsifying their asset declaration forms by listing properties they intend to acquire while in office.

    Olukoyede made the disclosures in Abuja in a goodwill message at the launch of the Virtual Tool on the Code of Conduct for Public Officers by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in collaboration with the Technical Unit on Good Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR).

    Painting a picture of how anticipatory asset declaration is done, the commission boss said: “There is an investigation we carried out and we discovered something not too strange that proves how criminally-smart some of our politically-exposed persons (PEP) carry out some of the various activities we investigate them for.

    “I asked my boys to get the CCB form because there is something we were not clear about and we discovered one of the very big properties valued at over N3 billion that the person declared in the CCB form carried an address different from the address of the location of the property.

    “I felt something was awry here; we decided to dig further and after more interrogation, we discovered that the person declared the property when the property was not in existence.

    The EFCC chair said further checks showed that the individual had listed a property at No. 39 while the actual mansion was at No. 44.

    Read Also: EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    “So, while we were asking questions, eventually, we discovered what we call anticipatory declaration of assets. And that is the smart way that some of these leaders have resorted to now.

    “Now, they declare what they intend to acquire by the time they are in the office before they are sworn in into the office. It is terrible. We saw that, and we felt… ‘No, this is pretty bad.”

    Olukoyede added that the politician had even registered the property in the land registry before owning it and designed the mansion he planned to build there.

    “Before he was sworn in, he had started thinking about the money to steal and what to do with the money,” agency boss said.

    He urged the CCB leadership to take note of such criminality and intensify investigation through innovative ways to curtail corruption.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the bedrock of public service is adherence to standards and ethics of service. 

    He applauded the virtual tool designed by the CCB as a significant milestone in the digitization and technological investigation of public conduct.

    The AGF, who believed that the tool will promote preventive compliance and awareness, urged public servants to embrace the new tool for enhanced conduct in public service.

    The Head of Service, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack said:  “We must leverage on technology to solve problems.  It is faster, smarter and more transparent. Without conduct and ethics no reform will last. Ethical governance is not optional. 

    “The benefit of this tool is that it is accessible, easy to use, cost-effective and promotes transparency that enables tracking and compliance”.

    CCB Chairman Abdullahi Usman Bello said the easy-to-use tool will promote accountability among public officers.

  • EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    EFCC probes traveller over undeclared $59,000 at Lagos Airport

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has started investigating  Duru Ikechukwu Damian arrested for allegedly failing to declare $59,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    According to the EFCC, Damian was apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday, August 11, 2025, during a routine check at the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Currency Declaration Desk.

    The suspect, who was scheduled to board an Emirates Airline flight to Dubai, reportedly told customs officials that he had only $10,000 in his possession. 

    However, a search revealed an additional $49,000, bringing the total to $59,000 far above the threshold requiring declaration.

    Read Also: Tinubu unveils Nigeria’s first national industrial manpower development policy

    During the formal handover to the EFCC on Tuesday, August 12, the Area Comptroller of Customs at the airport, E. I. Harrison, emphasized the ongoing efforts to sensitize travellers about currency declaration laws.

    “We have carried out sensitization and public announcements. Presently, at the airport, announcements are made at intervals, and electronic signages display these messages. Yet, some people still fail to adhere to the extant laws and regulations,” Harrison said.

    Receiving the suspect, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali, vowed that the commission would not relent in enforcing money laundering laws.

    “Laws are meant to be obeyed. We will always do our best, in line with our mandate, to ensure that any individual who violates the law does not go scot-free,” Ghali stated.

  • JUST IN: We run non-partisan mandate, EFCC replies ADC

    JUST IN: We run non-partisan mandate, EFCC replies ADC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday said it runs a non-partisan mandate.

    It said it has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate. 

    It said the law was taking its course, whether suspects belonged to the ruling party or the opposition.

    It said there is no sacred cow in the anti-graft war.

    It described the attack by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against the commission as unprovoked and shocking.

    It asked ADC to avoid the unwanted blame game.

    The anti-graft agency said it will not submit itself to blackmail to disclose ongoing investigations.

    It said the opposition figures the ADC was trying unsuccessfully to whitewash, knowing in their hearts that they had issues that necessitated their invitations.

    The EFCC, which replied to the new opposition coalition in a statement in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said the investigation and trial of suspects are not time-bound.

    The statement said, “The African Democratic Congress, ADC’s unprovoked attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), concerning its handling of cases involving politically exposed persons from every divide, came as a rude shock and unwarranted blame game.

    Read Also: EFCC detains Tambuwal over ‘suspicious’ withdrawal of N189b

    “Every objective and discerning watcher of events in the national political scene would admit that the commission has been circumspect and dispassionate in the exercise of its mandate.”

    The EFCC faulted the claims of the ADC that its summons were politically motivated.

      It said, “The ADC’s claims that “Opposition Coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated. These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures”,  are clearly self-serving,  diversionary, narrow and idle.

    “The question is, what determines ‘fresh cases’ and old cases? Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated, and there is no constraint of time or season in criminal investigations.

      “Available records in our courts showed that several political figures of all divides are answering charges of alleged economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    “It is also public knowledge that the EFCC is busy investigating some key figures of the ruling party owing to allegations of corrupt practices. 

    “Besides, many serving state governors of various political colouration are on the investigative radar of the commission.

    The EFCC said its operation was without political colouration.

    It also said it will not succumb to blackmail to make any disclosure on its ongoing investigations.

    It added: “The commission will not be blackmailed into making full disclosures of its discreet investigations of any state or non-state actor, no matter the provocation.   

     ‘The ADC was right to have admitted that “The EFCC does not belong to the APC.  It belongs to the Nigerian people. It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party.”  Nothing can be farther from this truth.  

    “The ADC and other political groups should focus on their partisan activities and allow the Commission to carry out its mandate.  Nothing will make an innocent person answer any charge from the EFCC.  

    “The opposition figures’ the ADC is trying unsuccessfully to whitewash, know in their hearts that they have issues that necessitated their invitations by the commission.” 

     The EFCC said there is no sacred cow in the anti-graft war.

    “The immunity against any investigation by the EFCC is accountability and probity.   Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption. There is no sacred cow, protected interest or partisan consideration in the investigation and prosecution of corruption.

    “The EFCC will continue to do its job and all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoined to ignore political statements meant to heat up the polity and divert attention from the pillage of the national treasury”, it said. 

  • EFCC, Obj Library lock horns over arrest of 93 fraud suspects

    EFCC, Obj Library lock horns over arrest of 93 fraud suspects

    • Anti-graft agency ‘acted on credible intelligence’
    • ‘It was invasion of OOPL premises’

    A sting operation in the wee hours of Sunday, leading to the arrest of 93 suspected internet fraudsters, has put the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at odds with the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.

    The agency, which said it acted on credible intelligence, swooped on the expansive facility to make the arrests, during which it recovered 18 vehicles and mobile devices from the suspects.    

    In its statement announcing the action, the EFCC did not give the name of the place where the operation took place.

    But hours later, the OOPL said it took place on its premises, alleging an “invasion” in a “Gestapo-like manner”.

    It called for an apology and threatened to take up the issue with the authorities and a likely challenge in court.

    Dele Oyewale, spokesman of the EFCC, said: “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have arrested 93 suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.

    “They were arrested on Sunday, August 10, 2025, in a sting operation in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following credible intelligence about their suspected involvement in internet crimes.

    “Upon their arrest, 18 vehicles and mobile devices were recovered from them.

    “They will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

    But the OOPL management frowned at the operation.

    It said in a statement by Kehinde Adeyemi: “This (yesterday) morning, at about 2:00 a.m., the premises of the OOPL were invaded by a Gestapo-like gang of over 50 armed men, purportedly from the EFCC.

    “The invasion, led by one ‘Olapade’, caused serious panic and chaos, leading to severe injuries among participants trying to escape the shooting and near carnage that resulted, as well as terror among residents on the site.

    “On inquiry by phone, the said ‘Olapade’ informed the Managing Director of the OOPL establishment, Mr. Vitalis Ortese, that they were acting on an intelligence tip about a ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ (internet fraud) activity at the venue.

    “They also claimed the incident took place during a private event in the amusement facility of the complex.

    “It should be noted that the event in question was a private event that had been widely advertised to members of the public for days prior.

    “Both the police officers stationed at the OOPL gates and the additional police sent from the Kemta Police Station at the request of management confirmed they had been duly informed of the event.

    Read Also: EFCC, Police in tussle over suspects

    “The organisers of the event and the management stated that they were not informed of any planned EFCC operation, nor did the EFCC operatives present any warrant.

    “When asked about their actions, the EFCC agents simply retorted: ‘We are doing our job.’

    “The OOPL management states that this action by the EFCC constitutes a clear case of invasion of private property, infringement of OOPL’s rights as a corporate citizen, and indeed a stark and blatant violation of the rights of the people who gathered for the event.

    “Management has commenced its investigation into the invasion and will take up the matter with the highest authorities, including the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    “In the meantime, management demands an explanation for these impudent actions from the EFCC, as well as a public apology from the EFCC authorities for the infringement of its rights, the rights of all attendees, and for the injuries sustained by victims of the gangster-like, induced chaos.

    “Failure to do so will compel management to seek redress and sanctions as appropriate.”

    Attempts to get Oyewale’s reaction to the allegations by the OOPL failed.

    He said the agency had already issued a statement on the arrest.

    The OOPL has many facilities such as library and museum, presidential garage, amphitheatre, event centres, wildlife park, rounda fun spot, water sports, tennis court, gym and sauna, dining and relaxation, rock café, bamboo restaurant and bar, a lounge and Green Legacy Resort – a 4-star hotel with luxurious rooms, a swimming pool, gym, and spa.

  • EFCC, police in tussle over suspects

    EFCC, police in tussle over suspects

    A dispute may be brewing between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Police over the custody of two suspects arrested in connection with a reported glitch in a microfinance bank.

    The suspects, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf, were first arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja on March 17, last year, and later granted  administrative bai.

    Their lawyer, Khadijah Bayern, said two vehicles- a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota RAV4-  with documents, goods and other personal items were seized during the initial police investigation. The seized items, she noted, were still in police custody, with a forfeiture case in court.

    However, Bayern has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), accusing the EFCC of re-arresting her clients on the same matter currently being handled by the police and already before a court.

    In the petition titled Double Jeopardy and Intimidation, Bayern alleged that the suspects have been held in EFCC custody for over 12 days without bail.

    Read Also: EFCC, Police in tussle over suspects

    She urged the AGF to intervene, saying multiple arrests by various agencies on the same issue could frustrate the legal process.

    In a separate letter dated July 29, this year, another lawyer representing the suspects also wrote to the Director of EFCC’s Special Duty Section 2 (SDC2), requesting flexibility in the bail.

    The counsel asked the Commission to accept civil servants on Grade Level 14 or 15 as sureties, instead of higher-level officers earlier required.

    The letter also drew attention to the medical conditions of the suspects, claiming they suffer from a cardiovascular ailment that requires regular medication.

    The legal team assured the EFCC of its cooperation with the investigation and urged the agency to consider the request in the interest of justice and fairness.

    EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said the agency’s operations are based on actionable intelligence and petitions.

    “There is no way the commission will deploy its resources to the investigation of a matter the police is handling if there are no fresh angles being investigated. 

    “As for the detention of suspects, we can lawfully hold a suspect beyond the statutory 48 hours by obtaining a Remand Warrant from the Magistrates’ Court.

    “Please know that the EFCC does not harass or intimidate anyone.  We operate within the ambit of the law in all that we do,” he said.

  • UPDATED: EFCC, Police in tussle over suspects

    UPDATED: EFCC, Police in tussle over suspects

    A dispute may be brewing between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Police over the custody of two suspects arrested in connection with a reported glitch involving a microfinance bank.

    The suspects, Illesanmi Olaniyi and Ishola Maruf, were first arrested by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja on March 17, 2024, and later granted  administrative bail, which remains in effect.

    Their lawyer, Khadijah Bayern, said two vehicles- a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota RAV4- along with documents, goods and other personal items were seized during the initial police investigation.

    The seized items, she noted, were still in police custody, with a forfeiture case ongoing in court.

    However, Bayern has petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), accusing the EFCC of re-arresting her clients on the same matter currently being handled by the police and already before a court.

    In the petition titled Double Jeopardy and Intimidation, Bayern alleged that the suspects have been held in EFCC custody for over 12 days without bail.

    She urged the AGF to intervene, saying multiple arrests by different agencies on the same issue could frustrate the legal process.

    Read Also: Money laundering: EFCC launches probe into real estates

    In a separate letter dated July 29, 2025, another lawyer representing the suspects also wrote to the Director of EFCC’s Special Duty Section 2 (SDC2), requesting flexibility in the bail conditions.

    The counsel asked the Commission to accept civil servants on Grade Level 14 or 15 as sureties, instead of higher-level officers earlier required.

    The letter also drew attention to the medical conditions of the suspects, claiming they suffer from a cardiovascular ailment that requires regular medical attention.

    The legal team assured the EFCC of its cooperation with the ongoing investigation and urged the agency to consider the request in the interest of justice and fairness.

    In his reaction, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said all the agency’s operations are based on actionable intelligence and petitions.

    “There is no way the commission will deploy its resources to the investigation of a matter the police is handling if there are no fresh angles being investigated.

    “As for the detention of suspects, we can lawfully hold a suspect beyond the statutory 48hrs by obtaining a Remand Warrant from the Magistrate Court.

    “Please know that the EFCC does not harass or intimidate anyone.  We operate within the ambit of the law in all that we do,” he said.