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N1.6bn Alleged Fraud: EFCC Vows To Appeal Ruling On Dudafa’s Case

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has promised to appeal  Federal High Court judgment which discharged and acquitted Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, and a banker, Joseph Iwuejo.

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos  on Thursday discharged and acquitted Dudafa, a former Senior Special Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs and the banker, who were both charged with N1.6billon fraud.

EFCC said they are studying the details of the judgment and will approach the appeal court immediately.

The defendants were arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on money laundering, conspiracy and concealment to the tune of N1.6bn.

The defendants allegedly conspired and laundered the fund through the accounts of A.B. Wise Resources Limited, Seagate Property Development and Investment Limited, Avalon Global Property Development Company Limited, Rotato Interlink Service Limited, Pluto Property and Services Limited, and De-jakes fast food and Restaurant Limited.

They pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them, thereby leading to their trial.

Parties in the trial had, on Wednesday, February 27, 2019, adopted their final written addresses after Dudafa had closed his defence on January 22, 2019.

In his Thursday’s judgment, Justice Muhammed Idris held that the prosecution, through his counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, failed to prove the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubts.

Justice Idris, also held that the prosecution failed to call “material witnesses”, including former President Jonathan, one Somprei Omeibi, the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele and ex-National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The Judge  further held that “the prosecution did its best, but it failed to conclude an investigation before going to court.”

Justice Idris, in his further judgment, however dismissed the entire 22 counts against Dudafa and Iwuejo, discharged and acquitted them.

 

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Crime & Court

EFCC Secures Public Summons Against Yahaya Bello in ₦110bn Case

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Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment.

The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.

The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification.

Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises.

The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.

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Police Officer Stabs Civilian to Death Over ‘Uncleared Transaction’

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A Police Inspector, Mohammed Bulama, attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 41 in Yobe State, has been arrested for allegedly killing a 39-year-old civilian, Abdulmalik Dauda, during a confrontation in Damaturu, the state capital.

 

The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, was sparked by a heated argument between Bulama and Dauda over “uncleared transactions” in the Zango area of Damaturu. The argument escalated, leading Bulama to fatally stab Dauda in the chest.

 

In a statement, the Yobe State Police spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed Bulama’s arrest and announced that an investigation into the homicide case had been launched.

 

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident involving Inspector Mohammed Bulama,” Abdulkarim said.

 

He further disclosed that the officer has been placed in custody, pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.

 

CP Ahmed condemned the actions of the officer, extending his condolences to the family of the victim.

 

He also assured the public that justice would be served swiftly in accordance with the law.

 

 

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Police Summon Officers Over Alleged N1m Corps Members’ Extortion

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The Lagos State Police Command has summoned three officers accused of extorting N1 million from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Surulere area of Lagos.

Footage of the incident, which went viral on social media late Friday, shows the officers confronting the corps members, reportedly over the absence of a physical copy of a driver’s license. The video was shared by social media user Oluyemi Fasipe, who claimed that the officers threatened the corps members with firearms and forcibly took them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, the Area C Command of the Lagos State Police, where they allegedly extorted the sum of N1 million.

“Dear @BenHundeyin, Your officers today in Surulere extorted 1 million naira from three corps members,” Fasipe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “They were threatened with firearms, kidnapped, and taken to the KAFARU OLUWOLE TINUBU HOUSE AREA C POLICE COMMAND of the @LagosPoliceNG where they were robbed.”

Fasipe added that the entire incident stemmed from the corps members’ inability to present a physical copy of a driver’s license, a situation he described as “evil.”

In one of the videos, the officers are seen inspecting the vehicle’s documents, with the situation escalating as additional officers arrived. One officer can be seen entering the car and demanding that the corps members stop recording the incident, while also prohibiting them from contacting their families.

In response, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officers involved have been summoned, and an investigation is underway.

“The men have been summoned, and their trial has commenced,” Hundeyin wrote on X. “We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.”

 

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