Crime
Buhari’s Minister, Sirika, Detained For Second Night By EFCC In ₦8 Billion Fraud Probe
Buhari’s Minister, Sirika, Detained For Second Night By EFCC In ₦8 Billion Fraud Probe....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, remains in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a second night as investigations continue into an alleged ₦8.07 billion money laundering case related to the failed Nigeria Air project.
Sources within the EFCC, speaking anonymously to Punch, disclosed that Sirika faced extensive questioning regarding his role in the controversial Nigeria Air project, which has stirred national debate due to its mismanagement and suspected financial improprieties.
“The commission is delving into the expenditures associated with the Nigeria Air project. While the total amount spent is still being determined, charges are being prepared, and Sirika is expected to appear in court next week,” one source revealed.
Another source confirmed Sirika’s continued detention, stating, “Mr. Sirika spent Tuesday night at our FCT Command and remained there on Wednesday night, undergoing continuous interrogation.”
Earlier findings by the EFCC revealed irregularities in contracts awarded by the Aviation Ministry during Sirika’s tenure, with particular attention drawn to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika’s brother, Abubakar Sirika.
Sirika arrived at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command on Tuesday afternoon and has since been engaged in questioning by investigators regarding the alleged fraudulent contracts.
As the investigation unfolds, scrutiny intensifies over financial mismanagement within the Aviation Ministry, marking this case as a significant focal point for national attention.
Crime
Plantain Peel Plot Exposed! Nigerian-British Grandma Busted With 13kg Of Cocaine At Lagos Airport!.
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Airport Arrest: A 67-year-old Nigerian-British caregiver, Mary Yetunde Barek, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on June 28, 2026, while attempting to board a flight to London. Authorities discovered 13 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside her luggage, which had been creatively packaged to resemble plantains. The suspect has admitted to owning the illicit materials.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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From Caregiver to Criminal: 67-Year-Old Grandmother Caught in Daring 13kg Cocaine Smuggling Attempt!
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Hidden in Plain Sight! NDLEA Uncovers 13kg of Cocaine Stashed in Fake Plantain Peels in Grandma’s Luggage!
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Grandma’s “Fruit” Gamble Fails! NDLEA Foils Massive 13kg Cocaine Trafficking Bid at MMIA!
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London-Bound Nightmare! Nigerian-British Grandma Arrested Over 13kg Cocaine Discovery at Lagos Airport!
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A former security guard, 22-year-old Sodeinde Olajuwon Phillips, has confessed to his involvement in the murder of Olakitan Ibiyola Oyesiku, a retired Ogun State broadcaster widely known as Aunty Kitan. The 67-year-old Oyesiku, who had retired from Ogun State Television, was killed along with her current security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, at her residence in Agodo village, Kobape, Abeokuta.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The investigation into the deaths was spearheaded by the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, who revealed that a crucial handwritten note found at the scene played a pivotal role in leading detectives to the suspects.
“We met her lying, facing upward to the sky, and we saw a paper, a note on her chest, and we equally found the same paper differently spread on the table in the living room,” Ojajuni stated. He further explained, “We discovered that the one that was met on her chest, the handwriting was totally different from the others that were spread.”
The use of intelligence gathering and technical tracking enabled the police to recover the deceased’s Lexus RX 330 and subsequently arrest three suspects. They were identified as Olajuwon (the former employee), 27-year-old Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, and 36-year-old Sobu Obafunsho.
A Tragic Motive: Money for Rent and Perceived Unfair Pay Upon questioning, Olajuwon provided a detailed and disturbing account of why the attack was orchestrated. He explained that a primary motive was the need for money to secure new housing for himself and Ayoola.
“My name is Sodeinde Olajuwon Phillips, and I am 22 years old. Myself, Shakirudeen and Sobu participated in the robbery and killing,” he confessed. He further elaborated, “We did it because she did not pay us well when we worked for her.”
Describing the robbery, Olajuwon recounted: “Shakirudeen and I needed more money to rent an apartment. So, we wore masks, forced the security guard to ring the bell, and after gaining entry, the security guard was taken back to his post.”
Following the attack, the group stole Oyesiku’s vehicle. Olajuwon detailed their escape, saying, “We left with her vehicle. Shakirudeen drove the car while we left together. We collected it from her before she died and drove to Onikolobo. I alighted under the bridge and went straight home, while Shakirudeen drove away with the vehicle.”
The stolen Lexus RX 330 was later recovered by the police in proximity to Olajuwon’s residence. The investigators found that the vehicle’s license plates had been removed and concealed under one of the seats.
Crime
Billions Recovered: EFCC Unearths Massive ₦38.66 Billion Haul In Explosive Refinery Fraud Probe.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has recovered over ₦38.66 billion in cash and assets as part of an active investigation into the alleged diversion of funds earmarked for the rehabilitation of Nigeria’s state-owned refineries. The total recovery comprises ₦9.4 billion, $21.2 million (roughly ₦29.26 billion at the official exchange rate of ₦1,380 to the dollar), and various landed properties linked to the individuals under investigation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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The probe focuses on approximately $2.79 billion released between 2021 and 2023 for maintenance work on refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.
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Allegations include money laundering, procurement fraud, economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of office.
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The Federal Government had committed significant funds to these projects—$1.56 billion for Port Harcourt, $740.7 million for Kaduna, and $492.3 million for Warri—yet investigators found minimal evidence of actual operational improvements.
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Officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), its subsidiary, refinery managing directors, and major contractors like Daewoo Engineering Nigeria Limited and Tecnimont SPA are currently under scrutiny.
Enforcement Actions and Key Individuals
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The EFCC has interrogated over 30 senior NNPCL officials and more than 50 representatives from contracting and subcontracting firms.
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Last year, the commission arrested several high-ranking officials, including Umar Isa, Tunde Bakare, Ahmed Adamu Dikko, and Ibrahim Onoja.
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Former Port Harcourt Refinery Managing Director Ahmed Dikko is accused of bypassing contractual procedures; authorities have traced ₦983.9 million, $227,030, and three landed properties to him, all of which are subject to an interim forfeiture order.
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Senior official Jimoh Yisawu is accused of approving inflated invoices and payments to unqualified third-party contractors, resulting in losses exceeding $10 million and nearly ₦8 billion.
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Investigations traced over ₦1.4 billion and four landed properties to Yisawu, which have also been placed under interim forfeiture while prosecutors prepare formal charges.
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