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  • Court warns EFCC boss over non-compliance with order to release 27 wrongly seized houses

    Court warns EFCC boss over non-compliance with order to release 27 wrongly seized houses

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has cautioned the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged continued failure to comply with its October 31 judgment directing the commission to immediately release 27 houses it had wrongfully seized, presuming they were acquired with proceeds of crime.

    The warning was issued on Tuesday in a Form 48 by the court’s Registrar and addressed directly to the EFCC Executive Chairman.

    It reads, “To the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Plot 301/302, Institute and Research Cadastral District, Jabi, Abuja. 

    “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court, made on 31st October, 2025, which ordered you to immediately release the property documents to the property owners/respondents in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025, you will be guilty of contempt of court. 

    “A copy of the said order of court which was earlier served on you is hereby annexed for ease of reference.

    “This court has been informed that even as at today, Tuesday, 2nd December, 2025 you are yet to comply with the lawful order of the Federal High Court by refusing to release the property documents to the property owners/respondents. 

    “You are hereby directed to comply with the order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.” 

    The EFCC had, on March 13 obtained an ex-parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties located across the country, and which th court ordered it to publish within 14 days for interested parties to appear and show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Following its publication of the interim forfeiture order in the Punch newspaper of April 4 as ordered by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited claimed ownership 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Okwete, Jamec Ltd and Oladapo objected to EFCC’s subsequent application for final forfeiture of the properties.

    In a judgment on October 31, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik upheld the objection by Okwete, Jamec and Oladapo, dismissed EFCC’s application for final forfeiture; vacated the earlier order for interim forfeiture and ordered the commission to immediately release the properties.

    In the October 31 judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said based on her analysis of the evidence presented before the court, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit. 

    “Additionally, I hold in favour of the Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo being person interested in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause, stands substantiated in its entirety. 

    “Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of Forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025 to the applicant in respect of the properties listed in the schedule attached to the applicant’s ex-parte originating motion. 

    “Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT to Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo respectively. 

    “In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture along with the corresponding responses filed are now otiose. I so hold,” Justice Abdulmalik said.

    However, lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN) has written to the Chairman of the EFCC complaining about the commission’s alleged failure to comply with the judgment.

    The November 27 letter written by Larry on behalf of Okwete and Jamec Ltd reads: “We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company ~ Jamec West Africa Ltd ‘the property owners,’ to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31th October, 2025 when judgment was given against you. 

    “As indicated above, judgment was given by the Federal High Court, coram: Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik on Friday 31th October, 2025 in presence of your counsel, led by Maryam Hayatudeen Esq. 

    “On 14th November, 2025, the judgment order was served on your good office and nothing was done to obey it. 

    “On 26th November, 2025, the Federal High Court through its Enforcement Unit, led by Mrs. Lilian Amenger, proceeded to your office to execute the judgment which simply required your office to hand over the title documents of the properties, subject matter of the suit to the officials of the court, 

    “In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgment which in its penultimate paragraph used the words, ‘the immediate release.’

    “In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it, if judgments of court are blatantly disobeyed. We however, want to believe that you are not aware of what happened, hence this letter. 

    “We anticipate your positive reactions within reasonable time before we take further steps.”

  • $4.5 billion fraud: EFCC witness insists defendant’s statements were voluntary

    $4.5 billion fraud: EFCC witness insists defendant’s statements were voluntary

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that the second defendant, Henry Omoile, voluntarily made his statements in the ongoing $4.5 billion fraud trial involving former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge bordering on gratification and corrupt demands, while Omoile, his co-defendant, faces a three-count charge relating to unlawful acceptance of gifts before Justice Rahman Oshodi.

    Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.

    Testifying in a trial-within-trial, EFCC operative Alvan Gurumnaan insisted that no officer of the commission coerced Omoile into making any statements.

    “The second defendant did not make any statement under duress.

    “Our officers do not force statements through violence or intimidation,” he told the court.

    “Where an allegation of duress is made, the burden lies on the defendant to prove it”, he stated.

    At the last sitting of the court on October 9, 2025, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) sought to tender Omoile’s extra-judicial statements in evidence.

    But defence counsel Kotoye Adeyinka (SAN) objected, insisting the statements were not voluntary.

    Justice Oshodi subsequently ordered a trial-within-trial.

    Gurumnaan, formerly of the Special Operations Unit of EFCC Lagos Zonal Command, narrated how Omoile made the statements at the commission’s conference room in Block A of the Lagos Directorate, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

    He described the venue as a large open conference space routinely used by the Special Operations Team.

    The witness said he found Omoile’s objection surprising. He told the court that the defendant arrived at the EFCC office on February 26, last year, accompanied by the Acting Managing Director of NIBSS and his lawyer, Mr. E. N. Offiong.

    “The statements were taken openly. There is no way we could have done that under threat,” he said.

    The court admitted four statements—three dated February 26, 2024, and one dated February 27, 2024—as Exhibits 1–4.

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    Gurumnaan confirmed that Omoile was in custody when he made them.

    He said the defendant was duly cautioned before making his statements, adding that the cautionary words were administered by another team member, Mr. Azeez Ajigbotosho.

    “The statements were signed by the second defendant. He even wrote, ‘I am making this statement in the presence of my lawyer, Offiong,’” he added.

    Although one of the statements did not expressly mention the lawyer’s presence, the witness insisted that Offiong was present on both days and tendered the EFCC visitors’ register as supporting evidence.

    Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) and Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), Gurumnaan admitted that no video recording was made, despite it being part of the EFCC’s standard practice.

    He explained that certain operational circumstances sometimes make video recording impossible.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned further hearing in the trial-within-trial to January 15 and 16, next year.

  • P-Square dispute: EFCC disowns Peter’s $.8m claim against Jude

    P-Square dispute: EFCC disowns Peter’s $.8m claim against Jude

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to support the allegation that Jude and Paul Okoye of P-Square fraudulently withdrew $800,000, contrary to claims made by their brother, Peter Okoye.

    Peter had in 2024 petitioned the EFCC accusing Jude of diverting the P-Square group funds, operating 47 undeclared bank accounts and manipulating the share structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, a company jointly owned by them

    The EFCC subsequently filed charges against Jude over alleged financial misconduct in the management of the P-Square brand.

    During resumed cross-examination, EFCC counsel, M.K. Bashir, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not present evidence for the alleged withdrawal.

    Asked by the judge to substantiate Peter’s claim, Bashir said: “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”

    Peter had testified on May 23, this year, that he obtained new evidence showing how Jude and Paul allegedly withdrew and shared more than $800,000 between March 2023 and October, last year.

    But when defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), confronted him with inconsistencies, he shifted his position, stating that the alleged withdrawal actually occurred between 2013 and 2014.

    The defence further challenged Peter’s assertion that Jude operated 47 bank accounts.

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    Peter insisted the EFCC held the evidence, but Bashir denied the claim, saying: “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”

    Onwuenwunor asked the court to order Peter and the EFCC to produce the alleged 47 accounts.

    Justice Oshodi, however, rejected the request and ruled that the defence must apply formally since the documents were neither before the court nor part of the admitted evidence.

    The defence also confronted Peter over his claim that Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Entertainment.

    Although Peter maintained he had proof, the defence tendered CAC records contradicting his assertion.

    Peter was further questioned on his claim that he was unaware of the existence of Northside Music and that Jude signed artist Cynthia Morgan without his knowledge.

    He said he only discovered the company in 2024 when Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead, adding that while the contract was signed with Northside Music, her albums were credited to Northside Inc.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to December 12, this year, for continuation of trial.

  • OML 30: Enough of fake news against EFCC – Delta communities

    OML 30: Enough of fake news against EFCC – Delta communities

    • By James Okoro

    The truth about the ongoing controversy over the use and custody of the funds meant for Uherevie oil producing host communities in the Niger Delta, is getting clearer with the declaration of the communities that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not divert or tamper with their funds.

    The communities cleared the air when they described as ‘false,’ the recent claim of alleged diversion of the said funds made by one Barrister Moses Oddiri as published by an online news platform.

    “EFCC Did Not Divert Our Funds. Our funds are intact,” Uherevie communities said in a letter written on their behalf by their lawyer, Chief E. J. Etaghene and dated Friday, November 21, 2025.

    The letter reads in part: “The attention of our clients have been drawn to several publications made by Mr. Moses Oddiri, falsely alleging that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has diverted funds meant for communities in OML 30. This is an outright fabrication of falsehood as there is nothing of such. The monies meant for the communities are intact in the Uherevie Communities Development Trust account. The account was not tampered with and was not frozen by the EFCC or any of its officials as wrongly alleged by Mr. Moses Oddiri,” the communities said.

    The rebuttal came days after the EFCC also rejected reports alleging that it asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Moses Oddiri, an activist, over a petition he wrote concerning remittances to host-community accounts in Delta State.

    The anti-graft agency described the publication as “a falsehood taken too far”, adding that it only intervened to ensure that the host-community funds were paid and managed under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). It said Oddiri had been “pushing for the funds to be paid into his NGO’s account, which is contrary to the PIA”, insisting that no DSS arrest was initiated at its instance.

    The EFCC vowed “to sue publications Moses Oddiri used to “fabricate false reports about the alleged abduction of Oddiri by EFCC officials and diversion of funds meant for the communities by EFCC and its Chairman.

    Quoting sources close to the family of Oddiri, the lawyer’s family had alleged that “the arrest appears to be linked to a petition Moses submitted to a fraud investigation unit in London.”

    It added: “The petition reportedly concerns alleged diversion of funds by the EFCC Chairman, funds that were intended for a community that Moses has been advocating for over the years.”

    Responding to this claim through a press release, titled ‘Sahara Reporter’s Malicious Publication & Moses Oddiri’s Quest to Privatise Niger Delta Communities’ Funds,” EFCC said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission views with serious displeasure insinuations contained in a news story carried by Sahara Reporters, entitled: “DSS Abducts Lawyer Moses Oddiri in Lagos After Petition on Diversion of Funds By EFCC Chairman Olukoyede.”

    Read Also: EFCC seizes Malami’s passport, demands account for $400m Abacha loot

    It stated: “the story, contrived to portray the arrest of Oddiri “on the orders and petition of the EFCC’s Chairman on alleged diversion of funds intended for a community that Moses has been advocating for over the years,” was a falsehood taken too far.

    “Oddiri’s story is a story of the pursuit of self-interest against communal welfare. The Niger Delta Host Community Trust Fund, paid into the bank accounts of two Host Community Benefit Trusts (HCBTs), as prescribed by the PIA, is the bone of contention. 

    “Oddiri wanted the funds paid into his non-governmental organisation (NGO), in flagrant violation of the PIA. The funds, paid in 2024, were lodged in the bank accounts of the two HCBTs,” EFCC said.

    The anti-corruption agency added: “Since the payment was made, Oddiri has been on the offensive against the EFCC and its Executive Chairman, claiming that it was not paid into his NGO account.”

    “The commission is raising a suit against this latest malicious publication by the online portal,” EFCC said.

    Until the concerned communities came out to declare the truth about the use and custody of the host communities funds meant for them, observers were wondering, who, between EFCC and Oddiri was telling lies. The confusion was traced to the positions they maintained as the root cause of the current misunderstanding between them.

    In the story, Oddiri was quoted as linking his arrest and detention to the disagreement he allegedly has with EFCC and its Chairman. He linked his alleged abduction and ordeal to a petition he reportedly made against EFCC and its Chairman before a fraud-investigating department in the UK.

    In the petition, he alleged that EFCC top officials diverted huge funds meant for the development of the host communities.

    EFCC on its part, pointedly denied this claim, stating that Moses Oddiri is raising dust simply because EFCC refused to force relevant institutions to pay funds meant for the host communities development into Oddiri’s personal NGO, an option EFCC explained is against Petroleum Industry Act.

    Now that the concerned communities have published a rejoinder to Oddiri’s claims, describing it as ‘false,’ and confirming that EFCC did not divert any funds meant for them, the truth seems clearer.

    In the rejoinder, written on their behalf by Etaghene, entitled “A Rejoinder On The False Allegation of Diversion of Funds Belonging to Communities in OML 30 Operated By Heritage Operational Services Limited By Mr. Moses Oddiri: Stating The Facts And Exposing the Lies of Mr. Moses Oddiri,” the Uherevie communities said: “What happened was that; Mr. Moses Oddiri and other elites from Orogun and Kokori communities wrote a frivolous petition to the EFCC, alleging that the funds accruing to the host communities in OML 30 were fraudulently diverted by Heritage Energy Services and some members of the communities.

    “It was this petition that the EFCC was investigating, prompting it to invite all stakeholders, including NNPC and the regulatory agency. When the EFCC officials interviewed and recorded statements from those invited, they were allowed to go and another day was fixed for further interview.

    “Mr. Moses Oddiri and his cohorts were dissatisfied with the modus operandi of the EFCC because they did not detain those they pointed accusation fingers at.

    “In view of his unsubstantiated allegation against the EFCC, Mr. Moses Oddiri did not turn up on the last day fixed for further interview and investigation of this matter where all those involved were physically present at the Abuja office of the EFCC.

    “The explanation given by the various communities, oil companies and the regulatory agencies during the said interview threw light on the issue in controversy which required the proof and substantiation of the allegation made by Mr. Oddiri and his cohorts.

    “Unfortunately, they were not in attendance and did not make further presentation of evidence to establish their allegation of fraud,” the communities said.

    They added: “It is obvious that the essence of Moses Oddiri’s petition is to use the EFCC to bring those at the helm of affairs of the community to a negotiation table in order for him and his cohorts to reap where they did not sow.”

    The false allegation now being peddled against the EFCC and its Chairman is a blackmail tactics aimed at hoodwinking the EFCC and its Chairman to wrongly and unlawfully deal with our clients and all those wrongly accused of committing fraud,” the communities said through their lawyer.

  • Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 houses wrongly seized by the commission.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while giving judgment in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025 filed by the EFCC.

    The EFCC had, on March 13 obtained an ex-parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties which it claimed were acquired from proceeds of unlawful acts.

    Following its publication of the interim forfeiture order in The Punch newspaper of April 4 as ordered by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 of the properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Okwete, Jamec Ltd and Oladapo objected to EFCC’s subsequent application for final forfeiture of the properties and, in a judgment on October 31, Justice Abdulmalik upheld their objection, dismissed EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the earlier order for interim forfeiture and ordered the commission to immediately release the properties.

    In the October 31 judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said based on her analysis of the evidence presented before the court, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.

    Read Also: Tinubu, First Lady, Shetimma, hail PFN at 40

    “Additionally, I hold in favour of the Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo being person interested in House No 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause, stands substantiated in its entirety.

    “Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025 to the applicant in respect of the properties listed in the schedule attached to the applicant’s ex-parte originating motion.

    “Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No: 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT to Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo respectively.

    “In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture along with the corresponding responses filed are now otiose. I so hold,” Justice Abdulmalik said.

    However, lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN) has written to the Chairman of the EFCC complaining about the commission’s alleged failure to comply with the judgment.

    The November 27 letter written by Larry on behalf of Okwete and Jamec Ltd reads: “We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company ~ Jamec West Africa Ltd ‘the property owners,’ to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31th October, 2025 when judgment was given against you.

    “As indicated above, judgment was given by the Federal High Court, coram: Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik on Friday, 31 October, 2025 in the presence of your counsel, led by Maryam Hayatudeen Esq.

  • EFCC probes Malami over alleged multimillion dollar deals

    EFCC probes Malami over alleged multimillion dollar deals

    • Ex-minister confirms commission’s invitation, pledges cooperation

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday grilled a former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr.  Abubakar Malami(SAN) over allegations of corruption against him.

    The former AGF has been on the radar of the anti-graft commission in respect of some bank accounts, assets and payments of judgement debts,among others.

    Details of his interaction with investigators will be released as from Monday, a top source in EFCC told The Nation last night.

    The source said:” We have many allegations lined up against him. We have not accused him of anything at all.

    “Our investigation is on. He interacted with our operatives on Friday. We were courteous to him. We respected the confidentiality of his appearance. But he has chosen to go public.

    “We will have no choice to explain to Nigerians what he came to do and our findings.”

    The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale  whowas contacted by The Nation yesterday said he had no details of the interaction with Malami because he was out of Abuja.

    Malami personally confirmed his invitation on his X handle yesterday.

    But he did not specify why he was invited or when he would appear before the commission.

    He apparently made the pre-emptive move to beat the EFCC to it and reduce the impact of a summon by the anti-graft agency.

    He said: “This is to confirm that that I have been invited by the EFCC.

    “As a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I hereby reaffirm my commitment to honour the invitation.

    Read Also: Tinubu, First Lady, Shetimma, hail PFN at 40

    “I understand the spirit of accountability and transparency in public service -the principles that I both advocate and champion.

    “Rooted in public service and in the spirit of transparency and accountability, I am committed to sharing with the Nigerian public the developments as they unfold.”

    Malami served as Attorney General of the Federation between 2015 to 2023.

    Questions have been raised about his role in the payment of $496 million to Global Steel Holdings Ltd (GSHL) as settlement for the termination of the Ajaokuta Steel concession nine years after the Indian company had waved all claims for compensation; the sale of assets worth billions of naira forfeited to the EFCC by politically exposed persons; the $419 million judgment debt awarded to consultants who claimed to have facilitated the Paris Club refunds to the states ; agreement to pay Sunrise Power $200 million compensation in its dispute with the FG over the Mambilla power project;and  legal fees in the transfer of $321 million Abacha loot from Switzerland to Nigeria.

  • Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    Court orders release of 27 houses wrongly seized by EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately release 27 houses wrongly seized by the commission.

    Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order while giving a judgment in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/348/2025 filed by the EFCC.

    The EFCC had, on March 13, obtained an ex parte interim forfeiture order against the 27 properties, which it claimed were acquired from proceeds of unlawful acts.

    Following its publication of the interim forfeiture order in the Punch newspaper of April 4, as ordered by the court, James Ikechukwu Okwete and his company, Jamec West African Limited, claimed ownership of 26 properties, while Adebukunola Iyabode Oladapo showed interest in House No 12, Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja.

    Okwete, Jamec Ltd, and Oladapo objected to EFCC’s subsequent application for final forfeiture of the properties and, in a judgment on October 31, Justice Abdulmalik upheld their objection, dismissed EFCC’s application for final forfeiture, vacated the earlier order for interim forfeiture, and ordered the commission to immediately release the properties.

    In the October 31 judgment, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik said, based on her analysis of the evidence presented before the court, “I firmly find that the property owner/respondent’s (Okwete’s) affidavit to show cause has merit.

    “Additionally, I hold in favour of Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo being a person interested in House No 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT, that since the learned senior counsel for the applicant (EFCC) has informed the court that it has no objection to her affidavit to show cause, that her affidavit filed to show cause, stands substantiated in its entirety.

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    “Without more, I forthwith set aside and vacate in its entirety the interim order of Forfeiture granted on 13th March 2025 to the applicant in respect of the properties listed in the schedule attached to the applicant’s ex parte originating motion.

    “Accordingly, I order the immediate release of the aforementioned properties/its documents to the property owner/respondent and the House No. 12 Fandriana Close, Wuse 2, Abuja, FCT to Adebukunola lyabode Oladapo, respectively.

    “In that vein, the applicant’s motion for final forfeiture, along with the corresponding responses filed, are now otiose. I hold,” Justice Abdulmalik said.

    However, lawyer to Okwete and Jamec Ltd, Serekowei Larry (SAN) has written to the Chairman of the EFCC complaining about the commission’s alleged failure to comply with the judgment.

    The November 27 letter written by Larry on behalf of Okwete and Jamec Ltd reads: “We write as counsel to Mr. James Okwete and his company Jamec West Africa Ltd, the property owners, to formally apprise you of the events that have followed this case since 31st October, 2025, when judgment was given against you.

    “As indicated above, judgment was given by the Federal High Court, coram: Hon. Justice Joyce O. Abdulmalik, on Friday, 31st October, 2025, in the presence of your counsel, led by Maryam Hayatudeen Esq.

    “On 14th November, 2025, the judgment order was served on your good office, and nothing was done to obey it.

    “On 26th November, 2025, the Federal High Court, through its Enforcement Unit, led by Mrs. Lilian Amenger, proceeded to your office to execute the judgment which simply required your office to hand over the title documents of the properties, subject matter of the suit, to the officials of the court,

    “In straight words, your office refused to do so, thereby blatantly disobeying the said judgment, which in its penultimate paragraph used the words, ‘the immediate release.’

    “In any regime, talk less of a democracy, it will be the height of it, if judgments of the court are blatantly disobeyed. We, however, want to believe that you are not aware of what happened, hence this letter.

    “We anticipate your positive reactions within a reasonable time before we take further steps.”

  • JUST IN: EFCC summons ex-AGF Malami

    JUST IN: EFCC summons ex-AGF Malami

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, for questioning.

    Malami served as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice from 2015 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Malami announced the development on his Facebook page on Friday, confirming that he had received a formal invitation from the anti-graft agency.

    “I would like to inform my family and friends that I have been summoned by the EFCC to provide clarification on certain matters, and as a law-abiding and patriotic citizen, I am determined to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he wrote.

    Read Also: Sylva writes EFCC, seeks date for appearance

    The former minister reiterated his commitment to the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability, which he said guided his years in public service.

    “I believe in the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability in governance; these are principles that I have long supported and upheld over the years of my public service,” he added.

    Malami also stated that he would keep Nigerians informed of any developments that may arise from the invitation.

  • Sylva writes EFCC, seeks date for appearance

    Sylva writes EFCC, seeks date for appearance

    A former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has written to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) asking the commission to give him a date for his appearance.

    The former Governor of Bayelsa State in a letter he personally signed and addressed to the chairman of the commission particularly frowned on the move by the EFCC to declare him wanted over an alleged $14.8million fraud.

    Sylva in the letter dated November 24th but was received and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26th, however, informed the commission that he was currently receiving an urgent medical care for a life-threatening condition.

    He said he was in constant consultation with his medical team to know whether he could discontinue his treatment to enable him present himself to the EFCC for interrogation.

    He said, “In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set subject to medical clearance to enable me appear physically and formally. 

    “I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to unalive, but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime in which case my request will be in order. For only the living may appropriately, fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny”.

    But Sylva recalled the events of the past weeks and said they had his family, close friends, supporters, associates and compatriots had endured an extraordinarily and bewildering period 

    He said, “What began with an unverified accusations linking me to an alleged plot to undermine a constitutional authority of the President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellence, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu escalated into a dramatic military operation at my private residence, during which several individuals were apprehended (drivers, security and domestic staff) and remain in detention.

    “While still grappling with the emotional and psychological strain of those events, I was on Monday 10 November 2025, publicly declared wanted by your esteemed agency in relation to an alleged $24.8million fraud matter.

    “It is pertinent to recall that I had been formally invited by the EFCC in December 2024 regarding the same matter. After providing all required explanations, I was granted administrative bail on self recognition and I was informed that I would be reinvited should my further input be necessary. To the best of my knowledge and belief, no further invitation or correspondence was issued to me thereafter”.

    Sylva said he was deeply surprised and profoundly unsettled to learn through a public announcement that he had been declared wanted despite his well-known disposition towards cooperation with lawful authorities.

    He said, “I am and have always been a law-abiding citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I have never declined or evaded the invitation of any competent law enforcement institution.

    “Furthermore, on 14 November 2025, it was publicly stated that I had jumped bail. For the sake of clarity, propriety and historical records, I must respectfully state that no such incident occurred not was any such bail condition in existence or ever violated by me.

    “As these developments continue to unfold, it is difficult to dismiss the impression that matters may be proceeding in a manner capable of causing public misinterpretation. For example these frenzied and almost desperate actions may be viewed as political witch-hunt by many. Also considering that I have appeared to be a target since the beginning of this administration.”

  • EFCC arraigns businessman, firm over alleged N23million theft in Lagos

    EFCC arraigns businessman, firm over alleged N23million theft in Lagos

    The Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, yesterday arraigned a businessman, Oti Jonathan Idowu, before Justice O. A. Okunuga of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, for allegedly stealing a total sum of N23 million.

    Idowu was docked alongside his company, Boundless Multi Service Solution Nigeria Limited, on an 11-count charge bordering on stealing.

    One of the charges alleged that Idowu and his company, on March 30, 2021, stole N5 million belonging to one Nneoma Okebugwu, an offence said to violate Section 278(1)(f) and punishable under Section 285(1) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2011.

    Another count accused the defendants of unlawfully taking N3 million on July 24, 2020, property of Umar Lukmon Agbomhere, obtained through one Umaru Salmot.

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    The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.

    Following the plea, prosecution counsel A. M. Dambuwa requested a date for trial and applied for the remand of the first defendant in a correctional facility.

    Defence counsel I.O. Lala informed the court of a pending bail application and sought a date for its hearing.

    Justice Okunuga adjourned the matter to December 3, this year, for hearing of the bail application, noting that the date for commencement of trial would also be set on that day.

    The court, thereafter, ordered that Idowu be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.