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Billions Recovered: EFCC Unearths Massive ₦38.66 Billion Haul In Explosive Refinery Fraud Probe.

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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▶

  • The probe focuses on approximately $2.79 billion released between 2021 and 2023 for maintenance work on refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna.

  • Allegations include money laundering, procurement fraud, economic sabotage, criminal conspiracy, and abuse of office.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • The EFCC has interrogated over 30 senior NNPCL officials and more than 50 representatives from contracting and subcontracting firms.

  • Last year, the commission arrested several high-ranking officials, including Umar Isa, Tunde Bakare, Ahmed Adamu Dikko, and Ibrahim Onoja.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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Murdered For Rent: Heartless Suspects Slaughter Ogun Broadcaster To Secure New Apartment!.

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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.

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BETRAYAL OR AMBUSH? Miyetti Allah Leader Murdered Immediately After Police Peace Talks!.

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The family of Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, the late Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), is demanding a comprehensive investigation into his murder. Alhaji Muhammad and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were killed on Friday afternoon while returning from a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ohimini Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Sequence of Events

According to the victim’s eldest son, Muhammad Idris, his father had traveled to Idekpa by motorcycle to attend the police-arranged dialogue, which aimed to address complaints regarding cattle-related crop destruction. Idris noted several concerning details regarding the meeting:

  • Key local stakeholders, including the traditional ruler and the Ohimini Council Chairman, were notably absent from the gathering.

  • While the meeting concluded peacefully, the family suspects a targeted operation, noting that a suspicious tinted Hilux van was observed monitoring the group shortly before the fatal attack.

  • The ambush occurred at approximately 2:00 PM in Okwudu, Otukpo Local Government Area—just a few kilometers from the meeting site—resulting in the deaths of the MACBAN leader and Mr. Isah.

Official Response and Appeals for Calm

The family has questioned the security arrangements for such a high-risk meeting and is urging the Benue State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a transparent investigation.

In a joint press conference in Makurdi, local government chairmen from Idoma land and Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser on Internal Security condemned the act. Key takeaways from the officials included:

  • Denial of Ethnic Targeting: Ohimini Council Chairman Gabriel Adole and Agatu Chairman James Melvin Ejeh emphasized that the murder was the work of “criminal elements” and enemies of peace, explicitly stating it was not a premeditated act by the local Idoma-speaking community.

  • Commitment to Justice: Officials vowed to support security agencies in uncovering the perpetrators and insisted that the killers be identified and prosecuted.

  • Plea Against Reprisals: Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Internal Security, described the incident as unacceptable and urged the Fulani community to avoid retaliatory attacks, warning that such actions would only further destabilize the region’s recent period of relative peace.

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God’s Servant Or Cold-Blooded Killer? Cross River Pastor Under Fire After Fatal Beating Of Minor!

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In a distressing turn of events in Obanleku Community, Boki Local Government Area, the Cross River State Police have arrested Pastor Roman Samson and a woman, Agnes Peter, following the death of Agnes’s 13-year-old daughter, Nancy Peter. The incident occurred after Agnes took her daughter to the pastor, who leads the Goodness of Jesus Ministry, to be disciplined for allegedly stealing ₦30,000.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The investigation details reveal conflicting accounts of the tragic event:

  • The Mother’s Account: Agnes claims she took Nancy to the pastor solely for counseling and prayer. She stated that after Nancy confessed to the theft, she left the pastor’s house to verify the location of the missing money, only to encounter the pastor rushing her daughter to the hospital upon her return. She firmly denies requesting that the pastor kill or physically harm the teenager.

  • The Pastor’s Account: Pastor Samson, 45, alleges that the mother specifically requested that he discipline the girl for her repeated theft and habit of sleeping away from home. He admitted to using a horsewhip on the minor, claiming he stopped after 13 to 15 strokes when she became noticeably weak. He insisted he had no intention of killing the girl, whom he described as being like a daughter to him.

The Cross River State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, has confirmed both arrests and stated that an investigation is currently underway. Commissioner of Police Rashid Afegbua has reaffirmed the command’s dedication to maintaining public safety and urged the community to continue providing information to assist in the fight against criminality.

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