Category: cover

The Imo State Police command has arrested two women while attempting to sell a kidnapped four-year-old boy in Owerri for ₦2.7 million.

 

The boy was kidnapped in Abuja while hawking vegetables and then brought to Owerri to be sold before luck ran out for them.

 

The suspects are Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael of Zamba in Abuja, while the third suspect, a nurse, is currently on the run.

 

This was disclosed by the state Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, in a statement released on Thursday.

Okoye said the suspects were arrested in Owerri, the state capital on April 14, following a discreet operation by operatives while they were trying to sell the boy, for ₦2.7million.

He said the arrests were made following joint efforts between the Imo State Police Command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja, though the suspects have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja, for further investigation and prosecution.

 

Okoye said, “The Imo State Police Command has uncovered a suspected case of child trafficking, leading to the arrest of two female suspects and the rescue of a four-year-old boy. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Scorpion Unit intercepted the suspects—Joy Ugwu from Idah, Kogi State, and Rosella Michael of Zamba, FCT Abuja—in Owerri on 14th April 2025 at about 6:00 p.m., following a discreet operation.

 

“Investigations revealed that the boy, Jaffa Umar, who speaks Hausa fluently, was abducted in Abuja while hawking vegetables. The suspects brought him to Owerri and were negotiating to sell him for ₦2.7 million before their arrest. A third accomplice, believed to be a nurse, is currently at large.

 

“The child has been safely reunited with his family through coordinated efforts between the Imo State Police Command and Zone 7 Police Headquarters, Abuja while the suspects have been transferred to the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja for further investigation and prosecution”.

 

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, reassures the public of the Command’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks. He encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the nearest police station or via the emergency line 0803 477 3600,” Okoye said.

 

The Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board says it has begun the compilation of list of retired civil servants who have defaulted on the full repayment of housing loans obtained.

 

Head of Information and Public Relations, FGSHLB, Mrs Ngozi Obiechina, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

 

Obiechina quoted the Executive Secretary of the Board, Mrs Salamatu Ahmed, as saying that the move was aimed at recovering mortgaged properties from retirees who failed to meet their loan obligations.

 

Ahmed noted that the decision followed a recent memo issued by Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Permanent Secretary, Career Management Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

According to her the memo reminded public servants of the mandatory requirement to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness to the FGSHLB and MDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as a precondition for retirement.

 

The executive secretary said that the board would take necessary legal steps to repossess properties where applicable, in line with the terms of the loan agreements.

 

She said this was in line with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 021002 (p), issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

 

”I am directed to bring to your attention the provision of Public Service Rule (PSR) 021002 (p), which mandates all public servants to obtain a Certificate of Non-Indebtedness as a prerequisite for retirement.”

“The Federal Government will commence the seizure of mortgaged properties belonging to retiring federal public servants who have failed to fully repay housing loans obtained from the board,” she said.

 

Ahmed explained that the FGSHLB reserves the legal right to repossess any mortgaged property in cases where a public servant exits service without fully repaying the loan.

 

She reiterated that the directive also applied to already retired officers who were still indebted.

 

She urged all affected public servants to regularise their loan status and obtain the required clearance certificate without delay.

 

“The board is currently compiling a list of such retirees, which will be forwarded to relevant regulatory agencies for debt recovery.

 

“The FGSHLB remains committed to enforcing compliance and ensuring proper loan recovery procedures are followed, ” she added.

Prominent Islamic scholar and Director of Markaz, Sheikh Habeebullah Adam El-Ilory, has openly challenged long-held religious beliefs that he says no longer reflect the realities of modern Islamic societies, calling for a more progressive and informed interpretation of Islamic teachings.

 

In a recent sermon, Sheikh Ilory criticised the rigid views held by some clerics who declared modern conveniences and female participation in public life as haram (forbidden).

 

He referenced the controversial claim that using satellite dishes could prevent Muslims from entering paradise; a view he described as lacking proper understanding.

 

“Anybody who uses a satellite dish and hangs it on the roof of his house and dies will not enter paradise because he/she committed haram,” he said, repeating the position of some conservative scholars, before questioning its validity and the mindset behind it.

Sheikh Ilory also revisited the criticism he received in 2010 for supporting women’s involvement in politics, a position that was deemed controversial at the time.

 

“When I said it earlier in 2010 that women can be involved in politics, people criticised me.

Not long after my statements in 2010, Saudi Arabia allowed women to vote and participate in politics,” he recalled.

 

He pointed to recent developments in Saudi Arabia, including the training of women in the military and changes in dress codes, as evidence of evolving Islamic norms.

 

“Presently they’re training women in the military in Saudi Arabia and they now wear trousers,” he said.

 

The scholar took aim at clerics who still cling to outdated doctrines, accusing them of misrepresenting Islamic texts

 

“One Alfa who criticised this evolvement was quoting a part of the scripture I believe he has no understanding of,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has expressed willingness to allow eligible Nigerians without Permanent Voter Cards to vote in the 2027 general elections, but insists that such a move must be backed by legislative amendments.

 

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the commission was committed to expanding voter access through technology, but emphasised that legal provisions must first be updated to accommodate any shift from the current PVC-only system.

 

The initiative followed remarks by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in December 2024 during a quarterly consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners in Abuja.

 

Yakubu highlighted the growing role of technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, in streamlining the electoral process.

He noted that while PVCs will remain valid for those who possess them, future elections could allow voters to use slips generated by INEC or downloaded from its official website for accreditation.

 

This shift, he said, would lower costs, ease logistical burdens, and curb the misuse of voter cards.

“The commission also believes that with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, the use of the Permanent Voters’ Cards as the sole means of identification for voter accreditation on Election Day should be reviewed.

 

“Those who already have the PVCs can still use them to vote, but going forward, computer-generated slips issued to the voter or even downloaded from the Commission’s website will suffice for voter accreditation.

 

“This will not only save cost, it will also eliminate the issues around the collection of PVCs and the diabolical practice of buying up the cards from voters in order to disenfranchise them,” Yakubu explained.

 

However, giving an update in an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, Oyekanmi stressed that any change in the voting procedure must be supported by corresponding legal amendments.

 

“It is not our stand alone that is important. Equally critical is what the subsisting law says. While the commission is favourable disposed to the recommendation by stakeholders (that PVCs alone should not be the only criterion for voting at an election), the law needs to be amended to reflect it,” he said.

A Nigerian-born United States citizen, Oladapo Fadugba, risks 27 years imprisonment over his alleged involvement in a $690,000 wire fraud scheme and making false declarations to obtain US citizenship.

 

PUNCH Metro learnt this in a statement by the US Attorney for the District of Florida, Gregory Kehoe, obtained on Wednesday.

 

According to Kehoe, Fadugba was indicted for multiple charges, including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements during his naturalisation process.

 

According to Kehoe, between October 2020 and July 2023, the suspect allegedly diverted $690,000 in funds belonging to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which was meant for reimbursement to a major local healthcare provider.

It was further alleged that Fadugba used another person’s identity to facilitate the transfers into various bank accounts under his control.

 

The statement read, “According to the indictment, beginning on October 30, 2020, and ending no later than July 11, 2023, Fadugba had more than $690,000 of Department of Veterans Affairs funds, intended for reimbursement to a large local healthcare provider, transferred to his personal bank accounts.

 

“Fadugba then wrote cheques to himself or to businesses associated with him, which were subsequently transferred to other bank accounts under his control. It is alleged that he used the identification of another individual to carry out these transfers.”

 

In addition, Fadugba is accused of lying under oath during his US naturalisation proceedings by falsely stating that he had never committed a crime for which he had not been arrested.

Kehoe stated that, if the suspect was convicted on all counts, he risked a maximum sentence of 27 years in the US federal prison and the forfeiture of $400,000, representing proceeds from the alleged crimes.

 

“The indictment further alleges that Fadugba, a naturalised US citizen from Nigeria, made a false statement under oath during his naturalisation proceedings by claiming he had not committed any offence or crime for which he had not been arrested.

 

“If convicted on all charges, Fadugba faces up to 27 years in federal prison. The indictment also includes a notice that the United States is seeking a forfeiture order of $400,000, which reflects the approximate proceeds of the criminal conduct charged,” the statement added.

 

Kehoe concluded by noting that “an indictment is merely a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”

 

PUNCH Metro reported on April 12 that a 24-year-old Nigerian man, Mercy Ojedeji, pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and unlawful use of fraudulent immigration documents in the United States.

 

According to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the plea was entered in a US District Court in St. Louis, Missouri.

Ojedeji had admitted to fraudulently securing a student visa and gaining admission into the University of Missouri’s chemistry PhD program in Fall 2023.

 

He acknowledged using falsified academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a fake resume, and a fabricated English language proficiency report to obtain the visa.

No fewer than 40 coaches have completed a week-long ITF National Level 1 Tennis Coaching Course organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation in Abuja.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the participants drawn from the six geopolitical zones in the country, were presented with their certificates at a closing ceremony on Wednesday.

 

The coaching course, which began on April 14, ended on Wednesday at the National Tennis Centre, Package B, Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

 

NTF Technical Director and Course instructor, Rotimi Akinloye, highlighted the significance of the 10-day training programme for tennis coaches.

 

He explained that the training provides hope for the future of tennis in Nigeria, as young coaches learn modern teaching methodologies and technical knowledge to effectively guide players.

 

“Coaches play a crucial role in shaping the careers of tennis players, and their words can either inspire or discourage players.

 

“Thus, the training programme focused on equipping our coaches with global best practices and modern teaching techniques to enhance player development.

 

“It was also quite encouraging to see that the participants are young and knowledgeable about the game, indicating a promising future for Nigerian tennis,” he said.

 

NTF Secretary, Shammah Makpa, said that the importance of the training programme on Nigeria Tennis cannot be overemphasised.

 

Makpa said that it aimed to elevate the coaching standards in Nigeria, enabling coaches to provide better guidance and support to players.

 

“By equipping coaches with modern teaching methodologies, the programme can contribute to the development of skilled and competitive tennis players in Nigeria.

 

“It will also go a long way to help promote the growth of tennis at the grassroots, potentially leading to increased participation and success in local and international competitions,” he said.

He said that the Federation, under the leadership of Ifedayo Akindoju as President, will continue to work towards taking the country to greater heights in the world of tennis through developmental programmes.

 

Chukwunonso Nwabueze, a participant in the coaching training programme, shared his positive experience.

He highlighted the programme’s enriching content, which he noted covered essential aspects of tennis coaching.

 

Participants learned about the basics of tennis coaching, including training methods for beginners and intermediate players.

 

“The programme covered specific skill areas such as ball feeding, approach shots, serve and volley, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of tennis techniques,” he said.

 

Nwabueze who is also the PRO of Nigeria Tennis Umpires Association, explained that he chose to participate in the training for capacity building and development, to further enhance his skills and knowledge of the game.

 

Rebecca Ekpeyong, a participant from Port Harcourt, said that the training demonstrates a commitment to professional development, allowing participants to stay up-to-date with best practices in tennis coaching.

 

“The programme equipped participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively coach tennis players.

 

“By learning modern coaching techniques, participants can contribute to the development of skilled and competitive tennis players in Nigeria,” she said.

 

Also speaking, Bolaji Bankole from Lagos, commended the NTF for organising the course with a promise to put into use knowledge garnered from the training.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), has reiterated the agency’s call for mandatory drug tests for corps members, describing the initiative as a preventive—not punitive—measure.

 

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, and senior NYSC officials to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja, Marwa emphasised the urgent need to curb drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

 

The visit was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.

 

Marwa noted that the proposed drug integrity test, which has drawn mixed reactions online, particularly targets early detection and intervention.

 

“This is not a punitive action,” he stressed. “The goal is prevention—helping individuals before drug use escalates into addiction.”

 

Citing data from national drug surveys, he revealed, “One in seven Nigerians aged 15 to 64 is involved in drug use. The drug scourge continues to ravage our families and communities. There is no part of this country untouched by the crisis.”

 

According to him, the NDLEA’s strategy is twofold—reducing supply while also diminishing demand through education, counseling, and rehabilitation.

Highlighting the NDLEA’s collaboration with NYSC, Marwa lauded the formation of War Against Drug Abuse clubs in NYSC orientation camps and proposed deeper cooperation, including mandatory drug tests for corps members.

 

“In addition to suggesting that intending couples obtain drug-free certificates, we believe early detection through drug tests can prevent severe consequences, including psychiatric disorders, which affect not only users but the society at large,” he said.

 

To further strengthen drug prevention efforts, Marwa suggested deploying corps members with backgrounds in psychology, nursing, psychiatry, or counseling to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country for their primary assignments.

 

“This will deepen their professional experience and enhance the agency’s rehabilitation efforts,” he added.

 

Responding, the NYSC DG described the proposal as a “fantastic idea,” pledging to review the NDLEA’s recommendations for possible implementation.

 

Nafiu also assured that the NYSC would develop a comprehensive framework to facilitate the posting of qualified corps members to NDLEA commands, particularly those with active counseling and treatment facilities.

 

He commended Marwa for his leadership and reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the NDLEA in tackling drug abuse among Nigerian youth.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has assured Nigerians that the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, will be investigated in response to growing public demand.

 

This assurance was delivered on Wednesday by Winifred Adekunle, a Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Justice, while addressing a group of protesting lawyers who marched to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja to submit a petition calling for Kyari’s immediate investigation and arrest.

 

The demonstration marked the second consecutive day of protests at the AGF’s office over alleged corruption involving Kyari and the NNPCL.

 

On Tuesday, a civil society group under the banner of Concerned Citizens Against Corruption staged a protest, demanding a full investigation into Kyari’s financial dealings during his tenure.

 

Addressing the Wednesday’s protesters, Adekunle stated, “Your petition will receive immediate attention. There will be a response, and the issues raised will be addressed appropriately. Rest assured, the Attorney General and the Solicitor General are people you can count on. Your demands will not be ignored.”

 

On Wednesday, members of the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, a coalition of legal professionals, submitted a detailed petition dated April 23, 2025 against Kyari.

 

Signed by the group’s Convener, Emmanuel Agada, and National Secretary, Jonathan Uchendu, the petitioners alleged that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL was plagued by corruption and shrouded in secrecy.

 

They described Kyari’s tenure as “a racket run in favour of friends and associates,” and criticizes the Federal Government for failing to investigate him thoroughly after his removal—an action taken only after widespread public pressure.

 

The group expressed outrage over alleged financial irregularities in the rehabilitation and re-streaming of government-owned refineries, claiming that funds expended do not reflect tangible results.

One example cited is the claim that Matrix Energy Limited invested $400m in the Port Harcourt Refinery, despite an earlier $1.5bn approval by the Federal Executive Council for the same project.

 

The petition also raises concerns over the NNPCL’s reported $2m billion debt to Matrix Energy, allegedly serviced through daily crude oil allocations of 80,000 barrels.

 

The lawyers questioned why the Federal Government is indebted to Matrix Energy, why the debt is being serviced with crude oil, who negotiated these transactions, and why the public has been kept uninformed.

 

They urged the Attorney General to review all agreements entered into by the NNPCL under Kyari’s leadership, investigate the transactions in order to recover misappropriated funds, and identify those responsible for the financial discrepancies.

 

They also called for a fact-finding probe to quantify the financial losses and recommend concrete recovery steps.

Additionally, the group requested the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the NNPCL’s handling of refinery rehabilitation projects under Kyari and the sacked board.

 

They emphasised that a thorough and transparent probe would promote accountability, deter future misconduct, and help prevent the recurrence of similar financial mismanagement.

 

The group reaffirmed its willingness to support the AGF in conducting an exhaustive investigation

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered 54 banks to immediately return a total of N9,329,322,870 fraudulently transferred by hackers from an unnamed old generation bank.

 

The judgment, delivered on April 15, 2025, follows an ex parte motion filed in suit number FHC/L/CS/629/2025.

 

The court directed the financial institutions to place a Post No Debit restriction on all accounts that received the stolen funds and to begin the immediate return of all available funds to the originating bank.

 

The plaintiff bank reported that on March 23, 2025, a breach in its core banking system resulted in unauthorised debits from multiple customer accounts.

 

The stolen funds—amounting to over N9.3bn—were then dispersed across accounts in 54 financial institutions.

 

Upon detection of the incident, the bank said it promptly alerted the institutions involved and began tracking the disbursements.

 

The investigation revealed that the funds were transferred in multiple tranches from the bank into primary accounts and subsequently rerouted to other accounts held by secondary and tertiary beneficiaries.

Justice Dipeolu ruled that the affected banks must provide details of the implicated accounts, including balances and amounts already transferred.

 

The judge further ordered the immediate return of all recoverable funds to the plaintiff bank.

 

The financial institutions are also to share comprehensive customer data related to the transactions, including names and destination accounts.

 

Restrictions are to be maintained on all accounts that received any portion of the funds until full recovery is made, limited to the amount each received.

 

The judge clarified that the ruling applies strictly to erroneously transferred funds and does not infringe on other customer deposits.

 

“For the avoidance of doubt and for clarity, the order is only in respect of funds erroneously transferred and sums salvaged,” the ruling emphasised.

 

Justice Dipeolu concluded that the stolen funds “belong to the plaintiff and not the customers of the respondent banks,” affirming the court’s authority to direct full restitution.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has summoned top officials of the FCT Administration as well as construction giant Julius Berger over revelations that a section of the International Conference Centre rehabilitation project was subcontracted without his approval.

 

Wike, who visited the ICC and the N16 road project in Gishiri on Wednesday, expressed dissatisfaction after learning that the furniture installation for the conference hall had been handed over to another contractor by the Abuja Investments Company Limited.

 

Describing the development as unacceptable, the minister stated that the entire project was awarded solely to Julius Berger and should not have been fragmented.

 

“I was surprised to hear that there is a different contractor for that, which is unacceptable to us.

The job was given to Julius Berger entirely. I cannot have different qualities. We cannot say that the floor upstairs is furnished by Julius Berger and the down is furnished by another company. It is not acceptable to me.” Wike said.

He disclosed that he had summoned the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, the Group Managing Director of AICL, and representatives of Julius Berger to explain who authorised the subcontract and on what grounds.

 

Wike also questioned who would bear the financial responsibility for the unauthorized furnishing contract, noting that he personally approved the project’s budget.

 

“I have invited Julius Berger, I have invited the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the MD of the Abuja Investments Company Limited to know who did that, and if anybody is found culpable, of course, I must have to apply the big stick.

“Nobody should be a sacred cow. Nobody can do something that you know is not in terms with what we have agreed.

 

“I am not doubting the quality of work there. What I have said is that the quality of work is generally very fine. How they removed the furnishing of the conference hall from Julius Berger is what I do not know. And so, that is why I summoned the Acting ES, FCDA, and the GMD of Abuja Investments Company Limited and Julius Berger, to come and tell us who did that, and also on whose approval, because I approve and I know the amount of money.

 

“So, when they say Abuja Investments is the one who is going to pay for it? I am not going to accept that, and of course, you know, if anything shady went on, you will hear that I have applied the big stick. Nobody will be a sacred cow”

 

Despite the concern, the minister commended the quality of work done so far and expressed optimism that contractors would meet the set deadlines, citing security reports indicating that many have been working round the clock.

 

 

 

“I am impressed with the pace and quality of the work generally.

 

“But due process must be followed. Any shady deal will be dealt with decisively,” he said.