Category: Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has clarified that there is no prescribed dress code for applicants participating in the medical screening exercise for the 2025 recruitment into the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Fire Service (FFS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The Board made the clarification in a public notice issued on Friday ahead of the commencement of the medical screening exercise scheduled for June 22, 2026.

According to the CDCFIB, applicants are expected to appear for the screening in normal and decent attire and should disregard any contrary information circulating on social media or other unofficial platforms.

The Board also advised candidates not to bring their credentials to the screening centres, stressing that document verification would not be conducted during the exercise.

“Applicants are advised to appear for the exercise in their normal and decent attire. They are also advised not to come with their credentials, as no document verification will be conducted during the medical screening exercise,” the notice stated.

The Board warned applicants against relying on unofficial directives instructing them to wear specific outfits or present credentials at the screening venues.

It emphasised that such information did not originate from the Board and should be ignored.

“Any information directing candidates to wear a particular dress code or bring their credentials should be disregarded, as such directives did not emanate from the Board,” it added.

The CDCFIB urged all applicants to obtain information only through its authorised communication channels and to comply strictly with official guidelines issued for the recruitment exercise.

The Board further wished all candidates success in the forthcoming medical screening and reiterated its commitment to ensuring a transparent and credible recruitment process.

The medical screening forms part of the ongoing 2025 recruitment exercise into the four paramilitary agencies under the supervision of the CDCFIB.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have unveiled a weeklong programme of activities to mark the 2026 World Drug Day, with the anti-narcotics agency reaffirming its commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks and depriving criminal syndicates of their financial resources.

The activities were announced on Friday during a joint press briefing by the NDLEA and UNODC at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, retired Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, said the annual observance provides an opportunity to assess progress in the fight against illicit drugs and chart a course for future interventions.

Represented by the Secretary of the agency, Mr Shadrach Haruna, Marwa said the theme for this year’s commemoration, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” reflects the changing dynamics of the global drug landscape.

According to him, emerging threats such as synthetic drugs, sophisticated trafficking networks and digital drug markets require innovative and technology-driven responses.

“At the NDLEA, we have long recognised that old strategies cannot solve new problems. Under the continuous support of the Federal Government and our diverse stakeholders, we have heavily modernised our operations and balanced our enforcement capabilities with aggressive social advocacy,” he said.

Marwa noted that the agency’s flagship War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign remains central to its preventive efforts and has been strengthened through the use of data, community intelligence and innovative public enlightenment strategies.

He announced that the weeklong activities would begin with a special Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque in Abuja on Friday and continue with a Walk Against Drugs on Saturday in collaboration with Baze University, Nile University and the MTN Foundation.

Other activities include a thanksgiving church service, a national essay competition for students, an NGO engagement day and a youth outreach programme targeting vulnerable groups in markets and motor parks across the Federal Capital Territory.

The activities will culminate in a grand finale on June 26 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where government officials, diplomats and international partners are expected to unveil new policy frameworks to address contemporary drug-related challenges.

Highlighting the agency’s achievements, Marwa said the WADA initiative, launched in 2021, had evolved into a successful “whole-of-society” approach that encourages public participation in the fight against drug abuse.

He added that the agency’s “Offensive Action” against drug cartels, launched in January 2021, has continued to yield significant results through the arrest and prosecution of major traffickers.

“We are not just arresting traffickers; we are liquidating their financial empires. Assets reasonably suspected to be proceeds of drug crimes are aggressively targeted and forfeited to the Federal Government, effectively cutting off the lifeblood of these criminal networks,” he said.

Marwa expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support, as well as to international partners including the UNODC, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the French Police and Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

In his remarks, UNODC Country Representative, Mr Cheikh Ousmane Toure, represented by Deputy Country Representative Mr Danielo Campisi, said Nigeria faces both longstanding and emerging drug-related challenges that require collective action.

He stressed that no single institution can tackle the problem alone and reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through evidence-based strategies, innovation, international cooperation and human-centred interventions.

“As we commemorate World Drug Day, UNODC reaffirms its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts. Together, we can strengthen our collective response to the world drug problem and advance solutions that protect people and communities,” he said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Amnesty International Nigeria has called on Nigerian authorities to reverse the revocation of the bail granted to activist and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, describing the development as a threat to freedom of expression, liberty and fair trial rights.

In a statement issued on Friday titled “Authorities Must Reverse Revocation of Sowore’s Bail and Respect Freedom of Expression,” the rights organisation said the reported revocation of Sowore’s bail raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental rights in Nigeria.

According to Amnesty International, the decision risks undermining constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered Sowore’s arrest following his alleged absence from proceedings in a case in which he faces cyberbullying charges over social media posts in which he allegedly referred to President Bola Tinubu as “a criminal.”

The court also reportedly issued a bench warrant for his arrest after an oral application by the prosecution.

Amnesty International argued that the case is linked to Sowore’s peaceful expression of his views and criticism of public officials, activities it said are protected under the 1999 Constitution and international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

“The revocation of Sowore’s bail violates his rights to freedom of expression, liberty and a fair trial,” the organisation said.

“Any restrictions on these rights must be lawful, necessary and proportionate. They must never be used as a means of silencing criticism or suppressing peaceful dissent.”

The organisation stressed that freedom of expression remains a cornerstone of any democratic society governed by the rule of law.

It added that journalists, activists, human rights defenders, political commentators and public figures must be able to express opinions, criticise government policies and participate in public debate without fear of arrest, detention or retaliation.

Amnesty International further warned against the use of criminal proceedings, restrictive bail conditions or judicial processes to punish or discourage legitimate expression.

According to the group, such actions could create a chilling effect that discourages citizens from speaking out, weakens civic space and erodes public confidence in the justice system.

The organisation called on authorities to immediately withdraw what it described as “bogus charges” against Sowore and ensure full compliance with international fair trial standards and due process guarantees.

It also urged the government to respect and protect the right to freedom of expression, including criticism of public officials and government policies.

“Nigerian authorities must uphold and respect the right to freedom of expression and refrain from using criminal law, judicial processes or restrictive measures to intimidate, harass or silence critics, journalists, activists and human rights defenders,” the statement said.

Amnesty International maintained that no individual should be deprived of liberty or subjected to what it described as an abuse of the judicial system for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The trial of former Minister of Power, Chief Olu Agunloye, over the alleged fraudulent award of the $6 billion Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project contract resumed on Thursday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, with a prosecution witness affirming the authenticity of a key document tendered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The sixth prosecution witness, Iliya John Iyakwari, told the court during cross-examination that there was no other extract of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of May 21, 2003 different from the one marked Exhibit EFCC 3K, which he certified and which had already been admitted in evidence.

Agunloye is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended seven-count charge bordering on alleged official corruption and the award of the Mambilla Power Project contract valued at $6 billion to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.

During the proceedings, defence counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, sought to cross-examine the witness using a document marked Exhibit EFCC 3D.

However, the prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, SAN, objected to the move, arguing that the witness could not be questioned on a document he neither authored nor tendered before the court.

“My Lord, our objection is anchored on the Supreme Court authority in Buhari v. INEC and others. I object to this application because this witness is not the maker, neither was it tendered through him,” Mohammed argued.

He also cited additional judicial authorities in support of the prosecution’s objection.

The witness, a former Assistant Director (Legal) in the Federal Ministry of Justice who currently serves as an Assistant Legal Adviser in the Federal Ministry of Power, subsequently concluded his testimony under cross-examination.

Following the proceedings, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie adjourned the matter until July 2, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

The EFCC alleges that Agunloye unlawfully awarded the multi-billion-dollar Mambilla Power Project contract to Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited, allegations the former minister has denied.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has strengthened its collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat the vandalism of critical power infrastructure across the country.

TCN disclosed this in a statement following a strategic meeting held at its corporate headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to the company, the meeting focused on enhancing inter-agency cooperation, improving information sharing and developing more effective strategies to address the persistent vandalism and sabotage of electricity transmission facilities nationwide.

The discussions also explored measures to improve the protection of transmission assets, which are vital to the stability and reliability of Nigeria’s electricity supply network.

TCN said the engagement reflected the commitment of the three institutions to work together in safeguarding critical national infrastructure and reducing disruptions caused by attacks on power installations.

The company noted that vandalism of transmission facilities continues to pose a significant challenge to the power sector, often resulting in outages, equipment damage and substantial financial losses.

It expressed confidence that closer collaboration with security agencies would strengthen surveillance, enhance response mechanisms and deter criminal activities targeting electricity infrastructure.

The meeting underscored the collective resolve of stakeholders to protect the nation’s transmission network and support efforts to ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply for Nigerians.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Fresh revelations emerged on Wednesday at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, in the ongoing trial of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, as a prosecution witness disclosed that his company paid between 50 and 60 per cent of its consultancy commissions to officials of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS).

Testifying before Justice Maryanne Anineh, the eighteenth prosecution witness (PW18) told the court that his firm, which specialised in information technology, tax automation, and advisory services, was engaged by KSIRS to provide consultancy support. He explained that the company initially earned a 15 per cent commission on tax collections above ₦350 million, later reviewed downward to five per cent as internally generated revenue grew.

The witness identified former KSIRS Chairman, Senator Yakubu Oseni, as one of the officials he dealt with. He revealed that directives to disburse portions of the commissions came from Oseni through his personal assistant, Yusuf Abdulmumuni.

He further stated that similar instructions were later issued by Oseni’s successor, Aliyu Nda Salami, via his aide, Abdulwahab.

According to the witness, payments were made through both bank transfers and cash transactions. He confirmed that these disbursements were not part of the consultancy agreement but were carried out under pressure from KSIRS leadership.

He also noted that Senator Oseni nominated one Jami’u Salihu as a signatory to the Bespoke Business Solution project account with Zenith Bank, enabling Salihu to independently authorise withdrawals.

Reviewing exhibits before the court, EFCC lead counsel Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, highlighted inflows from KSIRS into the company’s accounts, including ₦92.4 million on August 9, 2017, and ₦261.8 million on August 14, 2017, followed by withdrawals executed by Salihu.

The EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16‑count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving ₦110.4 billion. The witness confirmed that his company’s engagement with KSIRS ran from 2016 to 2017, though account statements presented covered transactions up to 2022.

The testimony adds a new dimension to the high‑profile trial, spotlighting alleged systemic diversion of funds within Kogi’s revenue service and raising questions about accountability in state tax administration.