Metro

Police gun down robbery suspect, seize firearms in A’Ibom

Police gun down robbery suspect, seize firearms in A’Ibom

January 4, 2026 Markup 0

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled an armed robbery operation in Abak Local Government Area, killing one suspect and recovering firearms and ammunition during a swift, intelligence-led intervention.

According to the command, credible intelligence received on January 2, 2026, indicated that a notorious gang of armed robbers, linked to recent attacks on Point-of-Sale (POS) operators, petrol stations and supermarkets in Abak and surrounding communities, was planning to strike a petrol station along Ikot Ekpene Road, near Ikot Ekang Junction.

FRSC rescues Anthony Joshua as two die in Ogun road crash

FRSC rescues Anthony Joshua as two die in Ogun road crash

December 29, 2025 Markup 0

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed a fatal road traffic crash involving a vehicle conveying world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, and a stationary truck along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.

Olusegun Ogungbemide, Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters, Abuja, said the crash happened on Monday, December 29, 2025, around the Sinoma area near Sagamu, according to a statement from the Ogun Sector Command of the FRSC.

Legal Aid Council frees three indigent defendants in Yenagoa

Legal Aid Council frees three indigent defendants in Yenagoa

December 22, 2025 Markup 0

After reviewing the case, the court discharged and acquitted the defendants of all charges filed by the prosecution and ordered their immediate release.

The defendants were represented by Eddy Inenevwo, Esq., Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council in Bayelsa State.

Court sentences four to death over Ikot Abasi kidnapping

Court sentences four to death over Ikot Abasi kidnapping

December 18, 2025 Markup 0

Delivering a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Archibong Archibong held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted the defendants on charges of conspiracy and kidnapping.

“I hope this judgment will serve as a deterrent to those who are inclined to engage in crimes like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th defendants,” the judge said.

Alleged $6bn Mambilla fraud: Obasanjo ready to testify when needed — Witness

Alleged $6bn Mambilla fraud: Obasanjo ready to testify when needed — Witness

December 1, 2025 Markup 0

A prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye, has told the Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed readiness to testify on issues surrounding the controversial Mambilla Power Project whenever necessary.

The witness, Umar Hussein Babangida (PW3), made this statement on Monday while being cross-examined by defence counsel Adeola Adedipe (SAN) before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.

UniPort final-year student sentenced to death for killing girlfriend

UniPort final-year student sentenced to death for killing girlfriend

November 28, 2025 Markup 0

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced 26-year-old Damian Okoligwe, a final-year Petrochemical Engineering student of the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), to death by hanging for the murder of his girlfriend, 300-level Biochemistry student Justina Otuene.

Justice Chiwen Nsirim Nwosu delivered the judgment on Friday, ruling that the prosecution, led by Charles Obediah-Mbaba, proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Okoligwe killed Justina in October 2023 at his residence.

Alleged N30bn fraud:  Kaduna court denies suspect bail over multiple prosecutions

Alleged N30bn fraud:  Kaduna court denies suspect bail over multiple prosecutions

November 27, 2025 Markup 0

Justice R.M.Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, refused to admit Bashir Ibrahim Bello to bail for facing three different prosecutions simultaneously.

Head, Media & Publicity (EFCC), Dele Oyewale, said Bello is facing trial on different financial crimes and charges, and with over 400 petitions pending against him in the Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Court jails man two years for land racketeering in Maiduguri

Court jails man two years for land racketeering in Maiduguri

November 15, 2025 Markup 0

Justice Muhammad Maina of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on Friday, November 14, 2025, convicted and sentenced Bukar Umar Alhaji to two years’ imprisonment.

Alhaji was first arraigned on November 27, 2024, by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on two counts for the offences of obtaining by false pretence and criminal misappropriation to the tune of N2,100,000.00 (Two Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira).

Alleged N868m fraud:   Court to Ex-AGF Nwabuoku: “You have a case to answer”

Alleged N868m fraud:   Court to Ex-AGF Nwabuoku: “You have a case to answer”

November 13, 2025 Markup 0

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, November 13, 2025, dismissed a “no-case submission” filed by a former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, Chukwunyere Anamekwe Nwabuoku and held that he has a case to answer and should enter his defence in the charges of fraud, levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Nwabuoku is being prosecuted by the EFCC on amended nine-count charges, bordering on money laundering and diversion to the tune of N868,465,000 (Eight Hundred and Sixty-eight Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand Naira).

Alleged ₦110.4bn Kogi fraud: Court adjourns trial till 2026

Alleged ₦110.4bn Kogi fraud: Court adjourns trial till 2026

November 13, 2025 Markup 0

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, continued on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, with the defence counsel cross-examining the sixth prosecution witness, Mashelia Arhyel Bata, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank.

Bello is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.

NCoS confirms death of two awaiting trial inmates in A’Ibom

NCoS confirms death of two awaiting trial inmates in A’Ibom

November 13, 2025 Markup 0

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Akwa Ibom State Command, has confirmed the death of two awaiting-trial inmates at the Uyo Custodial Centre following an electrical surge caused by a faulty transformer that supplies power to the facility.

The incident, which occurred about two weeks ago, was triggered by an explosion from a nearby transformer. The blast caused a high-voltage wire to snap and fall within the correctional centre premises, resulting in a total blackout and extensive damage to equipment.

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting more evidence detailing multiple suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to the Kogi State Government House accounts. Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 in a statement, said Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.

₦110.4bn Kogi fraud: Witness reveals massive cash withdrawals

November 12, 2025 Markup 0

The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, presenting more evidence detailing multiple suspicious cash withdrawals allegedly linked to the Kogi State Government House accounts.

Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 in a statement, said Bello is being prosecuted alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion.

Police recover suspected stolen vehicle, firearms, ammunition in A’Ibom

Police recover suspected stolen vehicle, firearms, ammunition in A’Ibom

November 11, 2025 Markup 0

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the recovery of a suspected stolen vehicle, firearms, and other dangerous items during a late-night operation in Uyo.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the operation took place on Friday, November 7, 2025, around 11:30 p.m., when a surveillance patrol team on routine stop-and-search duty along Mbak Itam III by Nassarawa Market intercepted a black Toyota Camry with number plate LND 360 DC.

₦110.4bn Kogi fraud: Witness reveals massive cash withdrawals

₦80.2bn fraud: Court adjourns Bello’s trial to November 11

November 10, 2025 Markup 0

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The trial of former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Monday, November 10, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with further testimonies from witnesses called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Bello is being prosecuted for the alleged diversion and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion belonging to the Kogi State Government during his tenure as governor.

Monday’s proceedings featured the continuation of the cross-examination of the fourth prosecution witness (PW4), Mashelia Arhyel, a compliance officer with Zenith Bank. Arhyel confirmed that several cash withdrawals — each amounting to ₦10 million — were made from the Kogi State Government House Administration Account by Abdulsalam Hudu and Comfort Olufunke.

EFCC declares ex-minister Sylva wanted over $14.8m fraud

EFCC declares ex-minister Sylva wanted over $14.8m fraud

November 10, 2025 Markup 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.

According to a statement by the EFCC, Sylva is being sought in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 — funds said to have been invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

Police dismantle armed robbery syndicate, recover weapons in A’Ibom

Police dismantle armed robbery syndicate, recover weapons in A’Ibom

November 10, 2025 Markup 0

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a three-man armed robbery syndicate and recovered dangerous weapons in its ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal gangs across the state.

According to a statement signed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, the suspects were arrested on Friday, November 7, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, following credible intelligence that led operatives to a native doctor’s residence in Ikot Ineme Village.

FRSC urges safe driving, clears 6,000 unclaimed licences

FRSC urges safe driving, clears 6,000 unclaimed licences

November 8, 2025 Markup 0

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has called on motorists in Akwa Ibom State to prioritise safety and responsibility while driving during the ember months to curb road crashes and save lives.

Speaking during the 2025 Ember Months Sensitisation Campaign in Uyo on Friday, the State Sector Commander, Mr Francis Ajatta, revealed that the Corps currently has over 6,000 unclaimed driver’s licences in its custody.

He disclosed that about 1,000 of them have expired, as their owners have failed to collect them despite several reminders.

EFCC arraigns CEO, company for multiple fraud in Kaduna

EFCC arraigns CEO, company for multiple fraud in Kaduna

November 6, 2025 Markup 0

The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Bashir Bello Ibrahim, a former Kaduna State government contractor and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Formal Act Legacy Limited, before Justice R. M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna, for fraud.

He was arraigned on five-count charges bordering on advance fee fraud, money laundering, retention of proceeds of crime and obtaining money under false pretence.

A’Ibom police smash militant, robbery gangs in major security sweep

A’Ibom police smash militant, robbery gangs in major security sweep

November 4, 2025 Markup 0

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a string of victories in its intensified campaign against crime — from the creeks of Mbo to the heart of Uyo — leading to the arrest of militants, cultists, robbers, burglars, as well as the recovery of arms, ammunition, and stolen goods.

Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Baba Mohammed Azare, who briefed journalists on Tuesday, stated that the breakthroughs stemmed from robust intelligence, community collaboration, and synergy with other security agencies.

Chad shuts border with Nigeria over security fears, possible terrorist infiltration

Chad shuts border with Nigeria over security fears, possible terrorist infiltration

November 3, 2025 Markup 0

The Government of Chad has announced the immediate closure of its border with Nigeria, citing heightened security concerns following reports of alleged U.S. military plans in response to Christian killings and genocide in parts of West Africa.

Military sources in N’Djamena, headquarters of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), confirmed on Monday that President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno ordered a total military lockdown along the Nigerian border after intelligence indicated that terrorist elements in northern Nigeria were preparing to flee into Chad.

According to sources, the Chadian army has been placed on full alert, with troops and armoured vehicles deployed across key border corridors linking the two countries.

EFCC arraigns fake contractor for N111m fraud in Kaduna

EFCC arraigns fake contractor for N111m fraud in Kaduna

November 1, 2025 Markup 0

EFCC arraigns fake contractor for N111m fraud in Kaduna
The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned one Bashir Bello Ibrahim, a former Kaduna State government contractor and Chief Executive Officer of Formal Act Legacy Limited, before Justice A. M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, sitting in Kaduna, for fraud.

The Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement on Saturday, November 1, 2025, disclosed that Ibrahim was arraigned on seven counts of obtaining money under false pretences, advance fee fraud, and money laundering.

Suspected bandits abduct Kebbi Deputy Speaker

Suspected bandits abduct Kebbi Deputy Speaker

November 1, 2025 Markup 0

Suspected bandits have abducted the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Muhammad Sama’ila-Bagudo.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, who disclosed that the lawmaker was kidnapped in Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

Police arrest masquerade leader

Police arrest masquerade leader, accomplice over armed extortion, public disturbance

November 1, 2025 Markup 0

Police arrest masquerade leader, accomplice over armed extortion, public disturbance
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including the leader of a masquerade cultural group, for alleged involvement in illegal assembly, armed blockade of a public highway, and extortion.

Their arrest followed a distress call from a concerned citizen (name withheld) who reported that members of a masquerade group were attacking commuters, blocking a major road, and extorting money from passersby.