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EFCC Arraigns Ex-Minister Ngige Over Alleged ₦2bn Contract Fraud

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday arraigned a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, before Justice Mariam Hassan of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gwarinpa, on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and corrupt enrichment.

Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State, arrived at the court premises at about 8:10am in the company of EFCC operatives ahead of his formal arraignment.

In the charge marked FCT/HC/CR/726/2025, filed on December 9 and dated October 31, the former minister was listed as the sole defendant. The prosecution team was led by Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences were committed during Ngige’s tenure as Minister of Labour under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly in his capacity as the supervising minister of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund.

Alleged Contract Awards

In count one, the anti-graft agency accused the ex-minister of using his office between September 2015 and May 2023 to confer an “unfair advantage” on Cezimo Nigeria Limited, owned by Ezebinwa Amarachukwu Charles, described as his associate.
Ngige allegedly facilitated the award of seven consultancy, training, and supply contracts worth ₦366,470,920.68 to the firm.

Count two alleged that he used his position to similarly benefit Zitacom Nigeria Limited, owned by the same associate, by approving eight NSITF contracts valued at ₦583,682,686.

In count three, Ngige was accused of favouring Jeff & Xris Limited, owned by Nwosu Jideofor Chukwunwike, with eight contracts allegedly totalling ₦362,043,163.16.

Count four claimed he used his office to award four NSITF consultancy, training, and construction contracts to Olde English Consolidated Limited, linked to his associate, Uzoma Igbonwa, valued at ₦668,138,141.

Similarly, in count five, Ngige was alleged to have conferred an unfair advantage on Shale Atlantic Intercontinental Services Limited, also linked to Igbonwa, with four contracts worth ₦161,604,625.

The EFCC said the actions violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Alleged Corrupt Gifts

In counts six to eight, the former minister was accused of receiving financial gifts totalling ₦119,783,000 from three firms that were contractors to NSITF:

₦38,650,000 from Cezimo Nigeria Ltd, paid into the Senator Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation account.

₦55,003,000 from Zitacom Nigeria Ltd, paid into the Senator Chris Ngige Scholarship Scheme account.

₦26,130,000 from Jeff & Xris Ltd, also channelled through the scholarship scheme.

The EFCC alleged that the payments were made while Ngige was performing his official duties as Minister of Labour and Employment—an offence said to contravene Section 17(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under Section 179(c) of the same Act.

The former minister is expected to take his plea when the matter is called.

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Crime & Court

Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial

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File photo of Adeniyi and Anthony Joshua

The Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.

The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.

It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.

Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).

He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.

Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.

Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.

The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan

Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.

Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.

The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.

Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.

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NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.

Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.

Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.

According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.

He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.

“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.

“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.

Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.

He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.

“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.

“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”

Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.

He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.

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Crime & Court

Court Acquits Suspended DCP  Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence

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File photo of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.

Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.

However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.

Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.

According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.

The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.

In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.

The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.

Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.

He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.

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