www.newstower.ng

Pastor re-arraigned for allegedly fondling minor’s breasts

 

 

A pastor who is also a legal practitioner, Aka-Bashorun Olawale Akanni, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for the alleged indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl.

The Lagos State Government re-arraigned Akanni on a one-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child.

The charge alleged that the defendant, who also serves as a pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, indecently assaulted the minor at the Iwaya area of Lagos by fondling her breasts.

The prosecution counsel, Funmilola Aluko, told the court that the defendant had unlawfully fondled the breasts of the minor.

According to her, the offence committed contravened Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, defence counsel, Morenikeji Oyekunle, prayed the court to allow her client to continue on the bail earlier granted by a Magistrate’s Court, arguing that he had complied with all conditions and was not a flight risk, being a lawyer and clergyman.

But Aluko opposed the bail request, urging the court to review the terms of release.

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi upheld the bail conditions previously granted by the Magistrate’s Court and directed the defence counsel to ensure the defendant’s presence at every adjourned date.

After the ruling, the prosecution informed the court that the complainant, now 27 years old, was present and ready to testify.

Led in evidence by the prosecution, the witness told the court that she met the defendant through her father, who was a member of the defendant’s church, the RCCG, on Lagos Island.

She said that in 2010, when she was about eight years old, she moved in with the defendant’s family to improve her academic performance and participate more actively in the church choir.

The witness alleged that during her stay, the defendant began to molest her sexually and physically.

She narrated how he would assault her and subject her to severe punishment whenever she performed poorly in school.

According to her, she eventually ran away from the defendant’s house and reported the matter to her parents.

She said she officially lodged a complaint in 2023 after learning of a similar incident involving another minor in the same church.

Under cross-examination, the witness told the court that she first confided in her class teacher, identified as Mrs Akingbeoyewa, about the alleged abuse while still living with the defendant.

At the close of her testimony, the defence requested an adjournment to enable it to obtain the Certified True Copy of the witness’s evidence.

The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that further delay could cause emotional distress to the witness.

Justice Oshodi granted the adjournment but invoked Section 193 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, awarding a cost of N50,000,in favour of the witness, to be paid by the defence before the next trial date.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case to December 9, 2025, for continuation of the trial.

Delta State Police Command Nab Cultists, Gun Peddlers, Recovers Cache Of Arms

By Ebinum Samuel

 

 

The Delta State Command, the image maker, SP Edafe Bright, said has tightened the net on violent crime with two decisive operations that led to arrests and the recovery of multiple firearms and ammunition. The actions, driven by credible intelligence, has sent a clear signal to cult groups and robbery syndicates that the State is not a safe harbour for notorious activities.

 

 

 

He disclosed that on 25th October 2025 at about 1800hrs, a resident of Aviara community, under Oleh Division, reported that on 22nd October 2025 at about 0812hrs, a video depicting suspected Eiye cult activity was posted on a WhatsApp group known as “Real Men”. Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oleh Division, CSP Keme Osuluku, detailed his operatives to investigate discreetly. At 0800hrs on 26 October 2025, acting on preliminary findings, the operatives arrested the suspect linked to the post, Donatus Odovo (male, 29), of Aviara community. Follow-up investigation, Edafe revealed led to the arrest of Zachariah Okeh (male, 36), alleged to be an Eiye cult leader in Aviara. During a execution of a search warrant at his residence, officers recovered one locally made double-barrelled gun, one locally made single-barrelled gun, and six live cartridges. The exhibits were secured, and the suspects were taken into custody for further questioning, while efforts continue to apprehend additional collaborators.

In another development, on 27/10/2025 at about 1345hrs, Rapid Response Squad operatives, while on stop-and-search duty along the Asaba–Benin Expressway, intercepted a Toyota RAV4 with registration EPE 189 GN. The driver, Mordi Emmanuel (male, 45), of No. 74, Family Estate, Asaba, complied with routine checks. Inside an envelope found in the vehicle, officers recovered one fabricated Beretta pistol with breech No. 5182207, with four live rounds.

 

 

Acting under the operational direction of the Rapid Response Squad Commander, CSP Nosa Alex, who coordinated the deployment and approved immediate follow-up actions, a team executed a duly obtained search warrant at the suspect’s residence. The search yielded one pump-action shotgun with breech No. 20-R-3921, and four live cartridges from the house and premises. The exhibits and the suspect are in custody and investigation is ongoing.

 

The Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, commends the vigilance of residents and the professionalism displayed by the officers involved. He reaffirms the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and the unlawful possession of firearms, and restates the commitment to intelligence-led policing, community partnership, and strict respect for the law.

He urges members of the public to remain security-conscious and to share timely, credible information with the police.

Hidden assets: Court rules Abba Kyari has case to answer

 

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed the no-case submission filed by suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his two brothers in the criminal case instituted against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Kyari, alongside his brothers, Mohammed and Ali, is being prosecuted by the NDLEA on 23 counts, bordering on full disclosure of their assets.

The agency also accused them of disguising the ownership of properties and converting proceeds of crime — offences punishable under Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

To prove the charges, the prosecution called 10 witnesses and tendered at least 20 exhibits.

In response, however, Kyari and his brothers filed no-case submissions, arguing that the NDLEA failed to establish a prima facie case that would warrant them to put in any defence.

However, in a ruling on Tuesday, , Justice James Omotosho dismissed the no-case submissions, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants, warranting them to open their defence.

“In view of all the exhibits and the evidence of the prosecution, the defendants need to offer explanations in this regard,” the judge stated.

He clarified that the ruling did not amount to a finding of guilt but was to ensure that the defendants were given the opportunity to present their defence and enjoy their constitutional right to a fair hearing.

“The evidence of the prosecution has established sufficient grounds for this trial to proceed. A connection between the defendants and the alleged offences, no matter how slight, constitutes prima facie evidence.

“Holding that a prima facie case has been established does not imply guilt. It simply allows the defendants to exhaust their defence options before a final judgment,” Justice Omotosho explained.

He further emphasised that the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty, while the burden of proof rests on the prosecution to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, in line with Section 135(1) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

Upon the close of the prosecution’s case, the defendants filed a no-case submission, arguing that the NDLEA failed to establish ownership of the alleged properties.

Kyari contended that under Section 128 of the Evidence Act, transactions involving state land could only be proved through certified true copies of title documents, insisting that no other form of evidence was admissible.

However, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court would not evaluate the weight of the evidence at this stage, holding that the prosecution’s case justified a response from the defendants.

“I have carefully examined the evidence presented by the prosecution. It points to the establishment of a prima facie case against the defendants, requiring them to proffer explanations or a defence, especially considering the gravity of the allegations,” he said.

He added that the defendants’ right to defend themselves was a fundamental one guaranteed under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could not be waived except expressly or by conduct.

“In the final analysis, the no-case submissions filed by the defendants cannot be upheld in the face of the evidence led by the prosecution. Consequently, the applications are overruled, and the defendants are hereby ordered to open their defence,” the judge ruled.

Justice Omotosho gave Kyari and his brothers three days to enter their defence and adjourned the matter to November 4, 5, and 6 for continuation of trial.

Drug parties are illegal, NDLEA warns club owners, fun seekers

By Ebinum Samuel       Provides details of Lagos night club raid, seizure of 384.886kg Loud, others from facility   The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned night club operators and fun seekers about the creeping culture of organizing, hosting and attending drug parties, a disturbing fad within social circles, which is a blatant illegality under the Nigerian law.   The Agency’s warning comes on the heels of a raid carried out by its operatives at a drug party, which held on the night of Saturday 25th October into the early hours of Sunday 26th October 2025, at Proxy Night Club located at 7 Akin Adesola street, Victoria Island Lagos where over 100 attendees were arrested along with the owner of the facility, Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu alias Pretty Mike and his manager Joachin Millary.   According to the Agency, “any gathering organized for the purpose of consuming, distributing, or abusing illicit substances is an act of criminality. These ‘drug parties’ contravene the explicit provisions of the NDLEA Act and will be treated as serious narcotic offences. In the case of the drug party at Proxy night club, organisers went above board and had the audacity to produce and circulate flyers inviting fun seekers to come together to commit crime, an act that not only constitutes an incitement to commit crime but equally an affront to the law enforcement capabilities of the country if condoned.   “Nigeria is currently grappling with a very high prevalence rate of drug abuse, particularly among our youths. These illicit drug parties do not only fuel the drug scourge but equally serve as hubs for new recruitment into drug addiction and actively undermine our current national efforts to safeguard public health and security.   “In the recent case, the NDLEA was meticulous and professional throughout the processes leading to the raid and during the operation. Following intelligence on the party, our undercover agents conducted surveillance on the facility, made pre-purchases of illicit drugs from within the club and for four hours between 11pm on Saturday and 3am on Sunday during the party, our operatives observed and recorded drug transactions and abuse going on before we eventually disrupted the brazen public display of illegality and made arrests.   “All attendees initially arrested were later profiled, addressed, counselled and released within hours in custody, in line with best global practices while the two principal suspects: Pretty Mike and his manager, Joachin Millary remain in custody following the seizure of 384.882 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and other substances from the club’s store.   “While the Agency will intensify surveillance and apply the full force of the law against perpetrators, owners of properties, hotels, and event centres found to be knowingly hosting such illegal activities risk the confiscation and forfeiture of their assets to the Federal Government. Those held in custody in the ongoing case will face prosecution while we will file for forfeiture of the property, Proxy Night Club, in which the drugs were found.”   The Agency urges all patriotic Nigerians, parents, religious and community leaders, as well as concerned citizens to be vigilant, report such activities, and partner with the NDLEA in combating this threat to national well-being.

PSC COMMISERATES WITH IGP, CP LAGOS OVER DEATH OF POPULAR POLICE CHIEF

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

 

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni has expressed shock on the sudden death of CSP Matilda Ngbaronye, the Divional Police Officer, DPO, Festac town Division, Lagos. CSP Ngbaronye reportedly succumbed to the cold hands of death on Friday after an unsuccessful surgery at a private hospital in Lagos.

 

The PSC Chairman said the tributes of the late Officer, which he read confirmed that she was a committed and hardworking Police Officer who was devoted to the service of the Nigeria Police Force.

 

He expressed his sincere condolences to the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Command, the aged mother, and relations.

 

According to Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission’s spokesman, Argungu prayed that God should receive her soul and give her an eternal peaceful rest.

 

DIG Argungu said the Commission would continue to work to ensure a good working condition for Police Officers including provision of necessary tools and benefits commensurate with their challenging work load.

NDLEA uncovers UK-bound cocaine in cream containers, meth in water heater

By Ebinum Samuel

 

 

Raids Lagos night club over drug party, arrests owner, Pretty Mike, others; Mosotho with ice in coffee tea pack at Enugu airport; 75-year-old grandpa in Abia; female distributor of Loud in Lekki, Ikoyi, VI and environs

 

A total of 70 parcels of cocaine factory packed in walls of cocoa butter formula body cream containers heading to London, United Kingdom have been uncovered at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with three suspects arrested in series of follow-up operations across Lagos.

The cocaine consignments weighing 3.60 kilograms were discovered on 14th October 2025 during examination of cargoes packaged as personal effects going to London, UK on an Air Peace flight. A cargo agent Lawal Mustapha Olakunle who presented the consignment for airfreight was promptly arrested while investigations stretching into two weeks led to the arrest of two principal suspects linked to the attempt to export the concealed Class A drug to the UK.

In a follow up operation on 18th October, a female healthcare worker Ogunmuyide Taiwo Deborah was arrested following which Mutiu Adebayo Adebiyi, the Chief Executive Officer of a travel agency, Mutiu Adebiyi & Co, was arrested at his 23 Ladoke Akintola Street, Ikeja GRA Lagos office on Monday 20th October.

In a similar development, attempt by a 35-year-old Lesotho national Lemena Mark to export 103.59 grams of methamphetamine concealed in a diabeta herbs coffee tea pack to the Philippines on an Ethiopian airlines flight from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu on Wednesday 22nd October was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and recovered the illicit drug.

No fewer than 21,950 capsules of tramadol 250mg concealed inside a 100-litre water heater were recovered from a suspect Umar Abubakar, 40, who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Bode Saadu, Morro local government area of Kwara state following credible intelligence on Tuesday 21st October.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives in the early hours of Sunday 26th October raided Proxy Night club at 7 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island where a drug party was going on. Over 100 suspects including the owner of the club Mike Eze Nwalie Nwogu alias Pretty Mike, were arrested and taken into custody for screening. Cartons of illicit substances including Loud, and laughing gas, were recovered from suspects at the party and the club’s store.

The raid followed intelligence about the drug party. NDLEA operatives who were embedded in the party between 11pm on Saturday 25th October however disrupted the gathering at 3am on Sunday 26th October based on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

In Taraba, the duo of Auwal Musa, 26, and Salihu Bala, 22, were on Tuesday 21st October arrested with 450,000 pills of tramadol and exol-5 at Dan-anacha checkpoint while conveying the consignment in a truck loaded with building materials from Onitsha, Anambra state to Mubi, Adamawa state.

While NDLEA officers on patrol along Okene/Lokoja highway, Kogi state seized 162.200kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, from a truck on Friday 24th October, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 22nd October recovered 128kg of same psychoactive substance from a suspect, Abubakar Muhammad, 55, in Keffi area of the state.

A mother of two Oyonumoh Glory Effiong who is a major distributor of Canadian and California Loud, both strong strains of cannabis in Lekki, Ajah, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and VGC areas of Lagos have been arrested by NDLEA operatives on Friday 17th October

during a raid at her Lekki home where 500 grams of the illicit substances were recovered.

 

 

In Ikorodu area of Lagos, NDLEA officers on Thursday 23rd October raided the home of a suspect Ogunyabo Adenigbigbe at Solomade estate where 275 litres of skuchies, a new psychoactive substance produced with black currant drink, cannabis and opioids, were recovered.

A 75-year-old grandpa Echendu Onuoka was on Wednesday 22nd October arrested at Ovum village, Obingwa LGA, Abia state with 4.7kg skunk seized from him while a 60-year-old grandma Aukana John was nabbed with 225 grams of same substance at Apanta village, in the same LGA.

While 150kg skunk was recovered during a raid operation at Lot camp, Ikun Akoko, Ondo state, two suspects: Bashir Mohammad, 50, and Samini Ahmed Tijjani, 35, were nabbed with 234.5kg of same substance at Yan aya , Saminaka in Lere LGA, Kaduna on Friday 24th October just as another set of suspects: Isah Usman, 50, and Salvation Okoler, 18, were arrested with 8,600 pills of tramadol 225mg and rohypnol along Abuja/Kaduna highway.

At the Seme border area of Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 22nd October nabbed Jacob Ojugbele with 55kg skunk at Ashipa area of Badagry while Amusa Oluwabukola was arrested with 121.3 litres of skuchies at Itoga Badagry.

In Zamfara state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Gummi-Anka road on Monday 20th October arrested a suspect Abubakar Ibrahim, 30, in possession of AK 47 riffle and 1,746 assorted calibres of ammunition, for AK 47 and GPMG rifles while moving them from Sokoto to Bagega forest, Anka LGA, Zamfara. Both the suspect and the exhibits have since been handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation.

With the same vigour, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week. These include: WADA sensitization lecture to students and staff of Asabari Grammar School, Iluwa Isale Oke, Saki West LGA, Oyo; Government Day Girls Secondary School, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi; St. Mark’s College, Nsude, Enugu; Kusaki Secondary School, Gboko North, Benue; Government Day Secondary School, Serti- Baruwa, Gashaka LGA, Taraba; Police Children School 2, Port Harcourt, Rivers and Hajara Ahmad International School, Tudun Wada, Kano state, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Lagos, Kwara, Abia, Nasarawa, Kogi, Ondo, Anambra, Taraba, Kaduna, Seme and Zamfara Commands for the arrests, and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) urged them and their colleagues across the country to continue with the ongoing balanced approach to the drug control efforts of the Agency.

ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: CP ORUTUGU ENGAGES MORE SECURITY STAKEHOLDERS IN ELECTION PEACE-BUILDING ADVOCACY..PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO HRM IGWE UZO ALEXANDER ONYIDO OF OGIDI

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

 

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc minps PhD, has continued his election peace-building advocacy tour. On 25th October 2025, he was at the Ogidi Area Command and paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Uzo Alexander Onyido (Ezechuamagha of Ogidi Kingdom).

 

During the Palace engagement, the CP acknowledged the role of traditional institutions in sustaining peace and moral leadership within communities. He noted that traditional rulers remain critical partners in preventing violence, discouraging youth involvement in political thuggery and promoting communal harmony during election periods.

 

According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command image maker,the CP appealed to the Palace and community leadership to continue mobilizing residents towards peaceful participation, while encouraging community members to report suspicious movements or activities capable of threatening security before, during, and after the election.

 

In his response, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Onyido, commended the Commissioner of Police for his proactive engagements and assured him of the Palace’s full cooperation in promoting peace and community awareness. The Igwe further called on youths, political actors, and interest groups in Ogidi and environs to avoid acts capable of undermining the peace of the community.

 

Similarly, the CP after a closed-door meeting with Divisional Police Officers in the area, addressed officers and men of the Ogidi Area Command Headquarters, where he reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional and non-partisan. He stressed that the responsibility of the Police is to secure the electoral space and safeguard the rights of all citizens and not to influence electoral outcomes. He further noted that security agencies in the State are working in synergy to ensure a peaceful pre-election environment, a safe voting atmosphere, and a stable post-election outcome.

 

Furthermore, during an interactive session with security stakeholders at the Area Command including the Chairman of Idemili North Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Stanley Nkwoka, Vigilante Operatives, members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Presidents General of Communities and other community leaders/stakeholders commended the Command for its continuous engagement and pledged their support for a peaceful and credible election. They also assured the Command of enhanced intelligence sharing and coordinated community-based security efforts.

 

To this end, the Commissioner of Police reassures Ndi Anambra that adequate deployments, surveillance operations, and rapid response units have already been activated to maintain Law and Order across all Local Government Areas in the State as the election draws closer. He urged the public to remain law-abiding and reject any calls to violence or disorder, stressing that the peace and stability of Anambra State remains a collective responsibility.

Christian genocide: Groups fault Daniel Bwala’s comments on killings in Nigeria

A coalition of Christian youth organizations has strongly condemned recent comments by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, on the ‘Christian genocide’ in Nigeria.

On Monday, Bwala visited the leadership of CAN at the association’s national secretariat in Abuja, the country’s capital, amid the outcry of Christian genocide in Nigeria and the move by some United States lawmakers to protect “persecuted” Christians.

In a statement released after the visit, Bwala said he told the CAN officials that Western media and US lawmakers are “responsible for painting an inaccurate picture” of the situation in Nigeria.

However, addressing a joint press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, representatives of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum, Odua Youth Democratic Congress, Middle Belt Youth Vanguard and Progressives Congress, and the Southeast Congress for National Development, accused Bwala of “misrepresenting” the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after a meeting with its leadership.

According to the coalition, Bwala’s public claim that there is no genocide against Christians in Nigeria directly contradicts the position of CAN and undermines the documented experiences of victims across several states.

“It is unstatesmanly, unethical, and misleading for Daniel Bwala to attribute to CAN what was never said in their private meeting,” Adama James Paul, leader of the colation said.

“His comments amount to a deliberate misrepresentation and a gross distortion of the truth.”

The coalition alleged that the denial of targeted attacks on Christian communities, particularly in the North and Middle Belt regions, amounts to an attempt to erase years of documented atrocities.

They cited persistent killings, displacement, and destruction of communities in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, Taraba, and other Christian-dominated areas, which they described as “a sustained campaign of extermination and ethnic cleansing.”

Adama said, “It is unfortunate that Mr Bwala, who hails from Borno State, one of the worst-hit regions by Boko Haram’s insurgency, would deny the suffering and deaths of his own people. His comments are not only insensitive but an insult to the memory of thousands who have lost their lives.”

The coalition further accused the presidential aide of seeking political relevance “at the expense of truth and justice,” adding that his actions have caused additional pain to survivors and displaced persons.

The groups called on all Christian leaders and Nigerians of goodwill to stand for truth and justice, urging political leaders to avoid statements that downplay or deny the realities of insecurity and targeted violence.

They, however, commended Nigeria’s security forces for their ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace across the country, while calling for sincerity and unity in addressing the root causes of violence.

“It is time for our nation to heal and move forward, but healing can only begin when truth is acknowledged, not denied,” the groups added.

President Tinubu Commends Olukoyede Over Impressive Asset Recovery, Conviction Records

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, for steering the agency to record-breaking successes in asset recovery and convictions since assuming office.

The President gave the commendation during the opening ceremony of the 7th EFCC–NJI Capacity Building Workshop for Justices and Judges, held on Monday at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja. The workshop’s theme was “Enhancing Justice in the Fight Against Economic and Financial Crimes.” Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu at the event.

Tinubu noted that his administration’s reforms to empower anti-corruption agencies have yielded impressive results, with the EFCC securing over 7,000 convictions and recovering more than ₦500 billion within two years. He said the recovered funds are being redirected to finance social intervention programmes such as the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit initiatives.

Calling for a stronger judiciary role in the anti-graft battle, Tinubu emphasized that transparency, accountability, and swift justice are key to defeating corruption. “A corruption-free Nigeria is possible if we all commit to doing what is right,” he stated.

In his address, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede lamented the prolonged court processes that stall corruption trials, particularly those involving politically exposed persons. He described such delays as a major obstacle to justice and urged the judiciary to help accelerate proceedings to restore public confidence.

Read Also: Protesters Storm PSC, Demands Probe Of Bribery Allegation Against AIG Aina, Asabe Waziri

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, lauded the EFCC–NJI collaboration, stressing that the judiciary must remain firm, fair, and adaptive to modern financial systems. She warned that economic crimes not only drain public resources but also widen inequality and hinder development.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), added that for the anti-corruption crusade to succeed, justice must be both swift and certain. He called for stronger synergy between investigators, prosecutors, and judges to strengthen the rule of law.

The event also featured goodwill messages from Senate President Godswill Akpabio (represented by Senator Munguno), Senator Udende Emmanuel, and Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, among others.

Protesters Storm PSC, Demands Probe Of Bribery Allegation Against AIG Aina, Asabe Waziri

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hashimu Argungu
has been asked to probe allegation of bribery against Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Emmanuel Aina.

In a petition to the PSC chairman by a group of protesters under the umbrella body of Centre for Human Rightss and Advocacy in Africa Network (CHRAAN), the group accused AIG Aina of abuse of office.

According to the group, the AIG, acting on behalf of one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, is using his office to harass and intimidate innocent Nigerians.

They called on the PSC Chairmam to look into the activities of the AIG, particularly, his ha doing if the case involving Asabe Waziri and Victor Giwa amd Abeh Signatures.

In a, petition to the commission dated October 22 and signed by Fabian Opialu, the group said, “We wish to bring the attention of the Chairman of the Commission to the activities of AIG Aina Emmanuci, the new director legal, Nigeria Police force, Abuja.

“Sir, AIG Aina Emmanuel, has an history of abuse of office, intimidation of citizens and corrupt practices. Sometimes in 2024, One Asabe Waziri, a staff of NNPC, who was evicted by FCF High Court judgement, from two blocks of flats in a property in Maitama, Abuja was forcefully brought back to the flats at Gun point by AIG Aina Emmnauel using some officers like CSP Francis (FCID) .

“AIG Aina Emmanuel, inspite of his knowledge of a Court Order restraining the said Asabe Waziri from trespassing into the property and flats and Motion for stay of execution filled in respect of a Court of Appeal’s judgment against Asabe Waziri, in the Supreme Court.

“It’s our complaint that after AIG Aina haa received graft from Asabe Waziri, he vowed to return Asabe Waziri into the flats using intimidation of the counsel to the property owner, Giwa Victor Esq, a human right lawyer, whom he arrested and detained twice between June and July. 2024, in order to unlawfully gain access to the property at No. 1, Mekong close, Maitama, Abuja.

“Asabe Wazri and Abeh Signature Apartment, the owner of the property had dispute, which resulted to court action, that finally led to the property owner obtaining Judgement in its favour against Asabe Waziri. The judgement was finally enforced against Asabe Waziri and she was vacated from the property.

“Asabe appealed against the judgement to the court of appeal, her appeal succeeded in March 2024 and the property owner appealed against her judgment to the Supreme Court. A motion for stay of execution and Notice of Appeal to the Supreme Court was filled, all against Asabe’s Court of Appeal Judgement.

“Shockingly, AIG Aina knowing that this was a matter that was still subsisting in court, still went ahead to break into the flats forcefully and brought in Asabe Waziri into the flats. According to the AIG, he wanted Asabe to be in the property while the case 1s going on in the Supreme Court.

“Additionally, AIG Aina, illegally detained one Godwin Okey in lieu of Victor Giwa Esq in 2024 in his desperate move to take possession of the flats for Asabe Waziri.

“AIG Aina is now the errand officer of Asabe Waziri, through which Asabe now subvert the course of justice, through bribery of police officers and other officers in office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who Asabe has use to file three different charges against the directors of Abeh Signature as tools of intimidating the directors from pursuing their cases against Asabe Waziri.

“AIG Aina is now in the hunt for Giwa Victor for having the courage to challenge their illegal and ignoble action.

“Recently, AIG Aina , who claimed to be executing a warrant of arrest against Giwa Victor ordered his arrest in Lagos on the 19th September, 2025. After the lawyer’s arrest the AIG refused to comply with the relevant sections of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which requires that the arrested person be taken to court within Lagus; instead, AIG Aina otdered Giwa’s detention for over 10 days and refused taking him to Court.

“Asabe Waziri is now using AIG Aina and retired AIG Ekeinde Oyakhire to persecute the Lawyer. The activities of AIG Aina are totally unlawful, illegal, corrupt and a breach of the police Act and other relevant laws.

“We are praying for the following: Probe AIG Aina’s roles in breaking into the flats in Abey Signature Apartment and granting possession to Asabe while matter was pending in Supreme Court.

“AIG Aina’s ignoble role in the detention of Victor Giwa Esq from 19th September, to 29th September 2023 without taking him to court after his arrest.

“The AIG’s receipt of bribes in dollars from Asabe to carry out this infamous act.”