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“Court Gives EFCC Ultimatum To Produce Witness Against Emefiele Or Face Case Closure”.

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Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to produce its witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele or risk having the case dismissed.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The judge ruled that the anti-graft agency must ensure the presence of its witness on the next adjourned date, April 27, warning that failure to comply would attract legal consequences. Justice Muazu also imposed a ₦500,000 fine on the EFCC for failing to present Deputy Commissioner of Police Elohor Edwin Okpoziakeo, who was scheduled to testify. Okpoziakeo, a member of the investigative team in the alleged procurement fraud case, was absent due to personal commitments.

At the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed explained that although the witness had been notified, administrative procedures required a formal letter to the Inspector-General of Police to secure his appearance. Mohammed added that while the request was sent promptly, the witness cited a personal matter at the FCT High Court in Gwagwalada, where his account was reportedly under a garnishee order. The prosecution requested an adjournment, highlighting the importance of the witness, who had closely worked with the Special Panel that investigated Emefiele.

Defence counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN) opposed the adjournment, noting that under Sections 396(3) and (4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, parties are limited to five adjournments from arraignment to judgment. Burkaa argued that the EFCC had already exceeded this limit, having been granted eight adjournments, and reminded the court that Emefiele had consistently attended proceedings without seeking delays despite traveling from Lagos.

Justice Muazu acknowledged that the EFCC had exceeded the permitted number of adjournments but noted that the court retains discretion to grant extensions in the interest of justice. The judge stressed that the testimony of an investigator was crucial to the trial but criticised the EFCC for delaying proceedings despite having obtained accelerated hearing, leading to the fine.

The matter has been adjourned to April 27 and 28 for continuation of the trial. Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge brought by the EFCC on behalf of the Federal Government, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining $6.23 million intended for international election observers during the 2023 general election and allegedly conferring corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to all charges.


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Police Arrest NSCDC Officer With Pistol, 17 Bullets At Abuja Kubwa Market.

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An officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air during a confrontation with traders at Kubwa Market in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The officer, identified as Onoja Samuel, reportedly arrived at the market armed with a pistol following allegations that some traders had assaulted his wife.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while addressing journalists at the command on Wednesday, Naija News reports.

Sanusi said the police received a distress call from Kubwa Market, located in the Bwari Area Council, reporting that a man was shooting into the air.

Following the report, officers attached to the Kubwa Police Division were deployed to the scene, where they arrested the suspect.

According to the police commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that Samuel holds the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Corps (DSC) in the NSCDC.

He explained that the officer allegedly fired several shots during an argument with the traders.

“During the ensuing argument with the traders, Onoja Samuel, who is a DSC with the NSCDC, fired several shots into the air,” Sanusi said.

The police recovered a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition from the suspect.

Sanusi added that Samuel remained in police custody and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The commissioner also urged personnel of other security agencies operating in the FCT to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for their areas before conducting authorised operations.

He stressed that effective coordination among security agencies was essential to preventing confrontations and maintaining peace across the territory.

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‘We Don’t Want Another Mohbad Case’ – Laolu Gbenjo Speaks On Toluwanisings.

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Nigerian gospel singer Laolu Gbenjo has cautioned the public against spreading unverified information about the circumstances surrounding the death of his colleague, Bayonile Bolaji, popularly known as Toluwanisings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Gbenjo’s warning comes amid growing controversy surrounding the late singer’s death and burial arrangements, with reports of disagreements among members of his family.

The gospel singer spoke on Tuesday during a night of tributes held in honour of Toluwanisings in Ibadan, Oyo State. He warned against allowing the situation to degenerate into a controversy similar to the one that followed the death of Nigerian singer Mohbad.

Describing the deceased as a devoted Christian and a genuine servant of God, Gbenjo said Toluwanisings was passionate about his faith and had a good relationship with people.

He urged the public to stop fuelling unnecessary controversy over the late singer’s death, particularly through social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram.

“You can never see Toluwani in the midst of jobless people. He had a good heart. He was a friend to everybody. He served the Lord with all his heart. Don’t turn Toluwani into Mohbad. That madness on TikTok and Instagram must stop. If you are jobless, go and look for a job,” Gbenjo said.

Meanwhile, comedians Ayobami Ajewole, popularly known as Woli Agba, and Olamide Oladimeji, also known as Dele Omo Woli, have threatened legal action against individuals allegedly linking them to Toluwanisings’ death.

Woli Agba disclosed this in a public notice shared on his Instagram page on Sunday.

In the notice issued by their solicitors, Gemgold, the comedians warned members of the public against publishing or circulating allegations they described as false and defamatory against them.

The legal notice maintained that the allegations were baseless and intended to damage the reputations of the two entertainers.

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El-Rufai’s ₦1bn Legal Battle Takes New Turn As Court Fixes Judgment Date.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed December 2, 2026, for judgment in the ₦1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other respondents.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik set the date after lawyers representing the parties adopted their respective court processes.

However, El-Rufai’s lawyer was absent when the case was initially called. The judge subsequently deemed the former governor’s filed processes adopted.

Counsel to the ICPC, Abdul Mohammed (SAN), adopted the commission’s court processes and urged the judge to dismiss the suit in its entirety.

Similarly, the lawyer representing the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Ezekiel Rimamsomte, and Maimuna Lami-Shiru, Director of Civil Litigation and Public Law, who appeared on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), adopted their respective processes and asked the court to dismiss the case.

During the proceedings, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Ubong Akpan, arrived in court and apologised for his lateness.

When Akpan sought the court’s permission to adopt his client’s processes, Justice Abdulmalik informed him that the documents had already been deemed adopted.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until December 2, 2026, when judgment is expected to be delivered.

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